Newcastle businessman leads Family First's NSW Senate ticket

Family First NSW announced this week the selection of Newcastle businessman, Greg Swane, as its lead Senate candidate.

In announcing the selection, chairman Neville Cox said Mr Swane brings with him extensive experience in small business, including retail, manufacturing and the building industry.

'Greg is passionate about social justice and is totally committed to families influencing government rather than government policy impacting on the family unit unfairly,'  a statement from Mr Cox said.

'Mr Swane attends the Salvation Army, Belmont and shares with them a heart and commitment for those who suffer from life’s injustices. Greg and his wife Julie have been married for 23 years. He has three children David, Elizabeth, Amy, and two grandchildren.

In his first media statement, Mr Swane, questioned the bland showing in the campaign so far of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott.

'Who is determining political debate in Australia? Is it Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, or Wilbur and Willamina? Why have our political leaders allowed issues of national importance to become dreary, boring and unimportant?' Mr Swane asks.

Mr Swane said he believed politicians had lost the ability to be relevant to the needs of Australian families and called on political leader to 'stop being more concerned with their delivery than their content'.

'Why have leaders of our country come to such a position of stage managed debate, refusing to address real issues affecting families, small business and the rural sector of NSW for the sake of political expediency?; Mr Swane said.

'The debate between the Prime Minister and Tony Abbott paid little attention to the major issues of education, health, transport infrastructure, dental care, the environment, asylum seekers and immigration. The Australian community demands leadership from our leaders in these areas.

Mr Swane said as a Family First Senate candidate in NSW he was committed to 'sensible and rational debate to not only maintain but increase the stability of the family unit' and was committed to reviewing all proposed legislation, regardless of which party is in government, to determine what is best for the Australian family.

He also highlighted the lack of focus on small business issues in the election campaign so far.
'Small businesses employs five million people in Australia, with over 50 per cent involved within or part of a family unit. The Government and Opposition are not seriously considering their needs. The major parties have clearly been seduced by big business, evidenced by the way Labor capitulated to the large mining companies for political expediency.'