Greens candidate says Riverina Recovery House should go ahead

Greens candidate Jacquie Tinkler moved to Wagga eight years ago to lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

What do you think of Wagga’s public art expenditure?

I used to be an art teacher and I find the public art debate in Wagga a bit depressing.

I have offered (councillor) Paul Funnell free art lessons because he's determined not to understand art.

Public art is something that can give vibrancy and cultural interest to a town, it’s not to be feared because you don't understand it. 

Council's currently reviewing it's main planning documents, what would you like to see change?

I'd like to see decisions based on evidence, rather than personal opinion or what (councillor) Paul Funnell calls common sense, which is seldom common or sensible.

For example, there is scant evidence to suggest the proposed Riverina Recovery House on Gurwood Street is going to cause problems, so when highly emotional issues like that arise we need to trust the research.

Should there be a spending cap on local government elections?

The Greens’ policy is there should be a spending cap and all election donations must be open and transparent. 

It's too easy for people with lots of money to buy influence. 

There needs to be equal representation of the community on council and buying influence skews that. 

What are the biggest issues facing Wagga?

I would like to address climate change at a council level to counter inaction at the federal level. 

Also, disengaged youth leads to other issues like crime and graffiti, so we need to offer young people thing like arts programs; theatre productions, a legal graffiti wall as a creative outlet for young people interested in street art, and workshops with practicing artists.

Is it in the public interest to run dummy candidates just to fill a ticket and get a better spot on the ballot paper?

That’s a problem with the way the voting system is designed, in an ideal world you would hope everyone on a ticket had equal chance of being elected.

For me – and particularly other women pushing to increase representation of women – running on a ticket is a good way to learn and get involved in a way that’s not too threatening.