Greens candidate for Macarthur Ben Moroney has got a big voice.
So big I furtively look around during the interview to see if he’s disturbing any of the other customers in the noisy café inside Macarthur Square.
No, it’s all good.
I am also relieved that his voice will be recorded loud and clear on my iphone.
Which it is when I play it back.
So what’s a nice boy like Ben Moroney – he’s not even 30 years of age – doing in a tough business like politics – and with the Greens no less?
“The funny thing, it was after the 2011 state election, and I made a commitment to learn more about the political system,’’ he says.
“The family always supported Labor, but I read about the Greens and there were a few things I disagreed with so I thought, no point just complaining about it, get in and get these things changed.
“Within a few months I was sitting on policy committees of the Greens, because we operate on consensus, it’s not majority vote, you have to get everyone behind you on issues.’’
Ben Moroney, who regularly sits in the public gallery during Campbelltown Council monthly meetings, readily concedes he is up against it trying to beat the major parties this Saturday, July 2.
The Greens are building a movement from the ground up
“We’re realistic, so it’s about building a movement in the region, it’s about the Senate vote, and about our prospects going forward, including council elections in September,’’ he says.
“I think we have a winnable seat on Campbelltown Council, so my name’s in there for preselection.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The Greens want to be the third force in Australia by building from the grassroots up.[/social_quote]
“We have a really democratic set up, whether it’s voting for policies or leaders.
“The major parties are out of touch,’’ Moroney says.
The 27 year old, who works as a policy and media adviser to the Greens in State Parliament, is a Macarthur boy through and through.
Growing up he went to school in Cobbitty and lived in Warragamba before moving to Campbelltown.
Moroney says he passionately believes the region needs a plan to secure the jobs of the future right here.
“I’m passionate about public services – schools, TAFE and transport, as well as building sustainable, innovative industry in Macarthur,’’ Moroney says.
“I want Macarthur on the map as a hub for renewable energy manufacturing, materials processing and cutting-edge research, creating new jobs and opportunities for local families.’’
He also has firm views on how we should handle the population explosion that has already started in Macarthur.
“We are looking at tens of thousands of new homes in the region with no investment in new transport, industry or services.
“Macarthur needs a government willing to outlay the money to properly provide the services we expect as Australians, rather than hoping the private sector does it.
“With the growth in the region, demand for hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure can only go up.
“So we need to be increasing funding not cutting it,’’ Moroney says.
How the Greens would fund schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects
But how will governments already burdened with deficit budgets find the money for growing regions like Macarthur?
“All of our policies are fully costed,’’ Moroney says.
“The Greens want to see Australia’s wealth go up, to grow the pie.
“The burden of providing for the country should fall on those who can most afford it.
“The Greens support a super profits tax on mining, we think it’s a good idea and will keep fighting for it.
“Negative gearing should go, but there should be a super tax on people on high income brackets, a millionaires tax, and multinationals like Google should pay tax.’’
