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READER QUESTIONS:

1. If the choice is between people and profit, which would you choose? (No fence sitting - assume that we know you need money to implement social programs - just a one word answer, please.)

2. When will either major party begin seriously investing in renewable energy sources and in fact stop funding at our cost dirty fossil fuels?

3. If a bill supporting voluntary assisted dying is brought before the Australian House of Representatives, are you likely to support it?

THEIR ANSWERS:

Julie Lyford, candidate for the Greens

1. People - every time. A society is judged by how it cares for the vulnerable. The economy serves the people, the people do not serve the economy.

2. Go to greens.org.au and see our progressive RenewAustralia policy – Global warming puts our health, our economy and our precious places at risk. There is no escaping this reality.

The world has embraced clean energy. The Greens' plans will bring on the next wave of technologies to help reduce our reliance on coal and gas fired power through a distributed energy system, including community-owned renewable energy generation, battery storage, electric vehicles and fast, affordable public transport systems.

The Greens’ RenewAustralia plan would see around 15,000 jobs across Australia in design and construction of renewable energy projects out to 2030. We will lead the transition away from the polluting industries of the past, and ensure that workers, families and communities are not left behind.

Meanwhile, the Liberal, Labor and National parties will continue to hold Australia back from the jobs-rich, clean energy future that we deserve, cutting our renewable energy target and expanding our coal ports. Only the Greens have the courage and vision to face up to the challenge of global warming and to embrace the opportunities offered by the clean-energy driven new economy.

3. Yes - I attended the forum in PH Sydney with Andrew Denton two weeks ago - this is a very important issue that 82 per cent of Australians want to see legislated.

Terminally ill people experiencing intolerable pain, suffering or distress should be able to choose to die a peaceful and dignified death at the time of their choosing.

Conservative MPs have stymied voluntary euthanasia legislation in most parliaments across Australia, but a 2011 survey found that 75% of Australians believed that a terminally ill person should be allowed to access physician assisted suicide.

The Greens’ Dying with Dignity legislation will provide terminally ill people with access to medical assistance to end their lives, establish safeguards to ensure to protect the vulnerable, and protect physicians who provide medical assistance.

Brad Christensen (Independent)

1. People.

2. I believe we should have legislation in place to make installation of solar panels on all new buildings compulsory.

3. Yes.

Dr David Gillespie (Nationals)

1. People

2. The Coalition has a very strong record when it comes to improving our environment. We have introduced our Direct Action Plan, which has exceeded expectations in delivering major reductions in greenhouses gas emissions. We are supporting the Clean Energy Finance Corporation whose task is to invest in cutting-edge research into low emissions technology and energy efficiency.

3. Voluntary assisted dying for the terminally-ill is in effect already available through sensitive compassionate palliative care.

It should never be the case that people suffer in the final stage of their life because medically, we do have the capacity to ensure unnecessary suffering isn't prolonged and people can die with dignity.

Rodger Riach (Independent)

1. People.

2.  When the climate actually fails on their thick economic theory. We are blessed with every form of fuel for energy. Plus sun, wind, ocean power all around our island nation.  River flows. Heat from numerous sources. Yet our machinery is powered by fossil fuel imported at astronomical cost. Diesel being the asbestos of future health failure.

Dust from coal is dangerous. Fumes from VW small cars emissions with trucks burning diesel by the boat load. Polluting at what cost and diesel subsidized by government. We the people.

3. Yes.