I am a proud Australian who migrated to Australia as a child. I have had many wonderful opportunities in life and feel it is time to give back, and to use my skills and knowledge to improve the lives of Australians.
I am highly motivated and have proved this in a career that has seen me shine in senior project management and senior leadership roles. I moved from Sydney to Queensland in 2001, and I now live in the beautiful Brisbane suburb of Sandgate, together with my partner; a clinical nurse manager at Prince Charles Hospital, a dog, cat and 4 chooks!
I started my working life at 16 in an apprentice in a mechanical engineering trade and rose quickly through the ranks as tradesman, foreman and supervisor. I studied performing arts, and worked in film and TV as an actor, set constructor, and in events management. I have been a successful business owner for over 20 years and completed Cert IV in Building to become a licenced builder in QLD. I hold a Master’s of Project Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from QUT. I recently completed five years (FIFO) on an iconic multibillion-dollar project in Darwin, reported as one of the most challenging projects of our time.
My first opportunity to vote in a federal election was in 1977, when the Australian Democrats (AD) ran a successful “keeping the Bastards honest” campaign. It is clear from recent events that this slogan has not lost its relevance, and that Australia desperately need greater transparency and accountability in all levels of government. AD is eager to restore integrity, truth and transparency by acting honestly and ethically, and by holding politicians to account. We promise governance that is ethical, compassionate, and evidence based.
I am particularly concerned with housing affordability and availability. It is a topic that is close to my heart. AD will propose increasing investment in affordable housing to meet Australia’s needs. Young Australians are understandably extremely worried about housing affordability, and we owe it to them to fix this. Aged Care is another issue close to my heart, with COVID tragically exposing its precariousness. AD will endeavour to get the Aged Care system right!
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for being nominated as AD’s Senate candidate, and I look forward to collaborating with you as we launch our election campaign. We have a big fight ahead of us, and we will be up against parties that have in the past, and will continue to spend millions each year on political advertising. We may be the underdog, but we, the AD, will work together to ensure no one is left behind.
I sincerely hope that you will support my candidature, and it will be an honour and a privilege to represent you in the upcoming Federal election as AD Senate candidate.
Thank you very much,
Chris Simpson