Debbie Armstrong for Huon in Cygnet, Tasmania | Political candidate

Debbie Armstrong for Huon

Locality: Cygnet, Tasmania

Phone: +61 467 641 113

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22.01.2022 Guess where today took us? I think it might be heaven on earth. Any takers. The brown campaign vehicle might give it away

22.01.2022 The inference that independent candidate are ‘nothing’ could not be further further the truth. Our major political party’s hold power in our state, and if our legislative council was made up of such political party’s who keeps them honest? Democracy would be lost. The role of the legislative council is to review legislation from the lower house, consider it carefully and decide if it a ‘good’ law and that it will do what it supposed to. ... Legco can either pass the motion, amend it or send it to the committee for further investigation before passing. Legco is there to scrutinise the government of the day, ensuring a good balance is achieved. Having party affiliated candidates only ensures more of the same party policy towing of the line. Independent MLC’s are critical to achieve a fair decision making process takes place. Independents are not ‘nothing’...they are ‘everything’!

22.01.2022 One of our local schools. Yesterday we had Simon Terhell visit the Year 5/6 classes and our Mini Vinnies group to talk about the important work St Vincent de Paul completes both locally and around Tasmania. Simon gave us lots of useful information that will help guide our future fundraising opportunities this year. We were even lucky enough to see Loui's Van which is used daily to help those in need. We look forward to continuing our essential work with St Vincent de Paul throughout the year.

16.01.2022 Welcome to come and have a listen.. ABC Radio’s statewide mornings program is broadcasting from outside the Huonville Town Hall tomorrow 8.30am-11am. Come down and tell your story/have your say about the issues that are important to you and hear from the six candidates running for the seat of Huon in next weekend’s Legislative Council election.

15.01.2022 RURAL HEALTH BEDS (Eldercare) Much has been spoken about the past week concerning the rural health bed closures. The beds have not been occupied since 1 July 2020, despite patients needing to be admitted to them this cannot happen. The reasons cited for these closures are that they do not comply with the quality and safety standards. Despite having until 2021 to comply the beds have been unoccupied for weeks. I have today spoken with Barry Lang who has confirmed Huon Regi...onal Care is Woking with Tas Health to meet compliance. HRC is also working at an administration level to meet criteria regarding staffing issues, enabling them to offer ongoing care and support at the highest level, as has always been the case. Mr Lang has assured me that the ‘temporary suspension’ of admissions to the rural health beds should be rectified in ‘the very near future’, and the ongoing use of those beds will indeed remain as rural health beds. This is comforting news, as those beds are an absolute necessity for our community. It is important to note that residential beds have not been affected by the compliance issues of the rural health beds. So effectively this means that no other part of the HRC facility has felt the impact of compliance to national standards. I would like to thank Mr Lang for taking the time to contact me with a factual update from the establishment. He has assured me of Huon Regional Cares position regarding this matter. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the staff that care for our elders, and the GP’s who have fought to have these beds returned to use as soon as possible. There is no alternative use for these beds. They are GOLD for our community. I am very passionate about the ongoing care for our older population, they are our foundation, and deserve the very best. Debbie Armstrong

13.01.2022 Hi all Played hookie from work today to visit Blackmans Bay. Chilly start and finish but great in between. Had a chat with lots of people along the way, enjoyed a lovely lunch from the Beach Restaurant then back to it. Couldn’t resist sharing this unusual letterbox.

11.01.2022 This is why we need extended hours medical services in the Huon. So no one is turned away.

10.01.2022 Hello community Today marks the end of my letterbox drops and door knocks. We ended at stunning Tinderbox. We have dropped thousands of flyers, met so many amazing people, heard so many concerns, had heartbreaks, and happy moments, navigated mountain goat terrain, trudged through mud, wore bandaids on skinless knees, recovered from bruised body parts, seen parts of our beautiful areas that could well remain a secret, had to spend a lot of time in the car with my husband (an...d we are still both alive) and I have become a pro at signage erecting. The generosity of people has astounded me, and I am truly grateful and thankful for those who have supported me by offering a space for the big purple and white sign. I do hope you are not forever traumatised. Up next is ABC mornings on Thursday at 9am, Meet your candidate Thursday at 7pm (July, 23) and Campaigning will cease as of next Wednesday, July 29. It really has been the best most rewarding experience and one I will not forget. We all should be living our best life. Give it a go! There is no shame in failure, only enrichment. Deb

10.01.2022 Hi everyone Erecting signage today was interesting. It was really great to chat to Blackmans bay locals. One of the things that tugged at my heart strings was a resident who has a husband with rapid onset dementia. She is his full time carer. He has a short life expectancy and she’s exhausted. She has been trying to find a place to care for him for a short while to allow her a break, and has struggled to secure a facility with rural beds available. This is really not acceptable. There needs to be more support for her and others facing this predicament. She was tired, but dedicated, and processing the grieving process of the loss of her husband. So so sad! She is such a strong woman. She has no other choice other than push onwards. I feel both really sad for her and so full of admiration at the same time.

09.01.2022 And the new proposed sandfly upgrade. Not actually confident $7m will get us a safe upgrade. The government tells us effectively it’s this or nothing. They cannot afford a better option at this time. I’m concerned about the pedestrian access in the middle of the highway, the cycling lane on a busy road and through an intersection and the traffic merging into one lane past the turnoffs heading uphill toward Huonville..... Click onto project update and then onto the blank square to see the proposal.

09.01.2022 A wee bit foggy and chilly this morning even for me. But I’ve really decided we are in the best part of the world. (Might be a little bit biased). Huon fm this morning with Jim Cane on the grapevine, then meeting people in Geeveston, and Franklin. Awesome people who welcomed me, a stranger, onto their property and were happy to chat. Speed limits and what we could achieve together are high on the agenda. The sandfly ‘bandaid’ solution was a popular discussion topic. The... struggles of declining work in the valley and families trying to make ends meet is quite disturbing. Hard working people are not feeling supported. In today’s world it’s comforting to be made feel welcome. Perhaps it the country way. I just have to share some photos of an amazing mans work on his personal projects. He’s quite inspirational. I have his permission to share. He even unwrapped his beauties for me. Dedicated to his mum Sylvie

08.01.2022 More letterbox dropping.. meeting new people and enjoying the outdoors. At the very least I’ll be fitter! . Couldn’t resist sharing this cheeky little beauty, and of course a groovy letterbox.

07.01.2022 Hi there, I hope you all had a listen to the ABC Morning program this morning. All of the candidates were invited to speak, and hopefully gave the community some assurance as to where we see ourselves benefiting the Huon if elected. It was however disappointing that our Labor candidate clearly does not see the role of an independent as a valid position to be representing anyone. In his view unless you are a liberal, labour or green, an independent viewpoint means nothing. I...ndependents are nothing! The accusations that the views we hold are simply political points scoring is laughable given the amount of time Labor has spent praising themselves whilst high on the soapbox. It’s called having a real perspective on real matters, on a day to day basis. I would suggest that a polarised view from being party affiliated has clouded the view of the bigger picture. People will usually appreciate an opinion if it is not arrogant or denigrating to others. I’m so proud to be an independent. If you need to be aggressive and condescending to other candidates, that speaks volumes about what you see as important if you were to get elected. I’m my mind a political race does not involve ostracism or denigration of anyone, but respect and courtesy of others opinions. Deb

07.01.2022 RURAL HEALTH BED CLOSURE - FRANKLIN The Huon has some excellent facilities including our Huon Regional Care facility at Franklin. Some disturbing news that our six rural health beds have been closed has come to light. This will have massive ramifications for our community. ... I am also concerned that there may be a flow on effect in closures of more beds and the palliative care unit at the Dover facility. These beds need to be reinstated. This is one of my passions. Community need those beds. It would be a focus of mine to lobby for funding to improve quality and safety in our rural health facilities and ensure the proper staffing levels are obtainable. Working with THS, and GP’s at Dover, Geeveston and Huonville is the only way forward. More funding is required to ensure this important service continues. Rural health beds are critical in our community, we need them! Deb

06.01.2022 Not many ‘hello community’s’ left now We have had closed borders for quite a few months now, and it’s painfully real that businesses will continue to feel the impact of the COVID-19 virus for at least this tourist season, maybe into the next also. What happens when the government stimulus package ends? If turnovers are still low and there are no means to increase profits, they will need to close, or reduce Staff or both. ... Tasmania needs a statewide tourist destination trail initiative, where it is affordable for us all to visit and support each other. Yes operators may not profit as much but some profit is better than no profit. Regional websites are not going to have the same amount of impact. It needs to be a statewide initiative. Well advertised, package deals, etc. It’s the only pathway we have so we have to explore these options soon.

06.01.2022 Disappointing that The Mercury omitted photos of two candidates in its publication this week, one being myself. That is in my mind Is not good transparency. Here is my detailed response to their question, The Major Projects Legislation seems to be in itself similar to the actual DA process! . Having already been through two rounds of consultation, and missed the 'early 2020' release date, I wonder about how effective it will be. It is somewhat concerning that the document ...aims to basically override a local government position or decision if the State deem a project fit to proceed. Aimed at reducing the delays due to the steps involved in attaining permits, reducing fees and bypassing local government requirements, may mean we could have tall buildings or other major infrastructure developments constructed without the proper consultation to the community. It feels a little like a fast track approach. Whilst I believe 29 councils in Tasmania is excessive and I understand the Mayor Projects Legislation is to effectively reduce large infrastructure developments overlapping two or more council regions, there is a criteria within local government to abide by. Bypassing that scheme is questionable. See more

03.01.2022 keep an eye out! Thank you WIN News Tasmania

03.01.2022 Want to read about the candidates and their capabilities/past achievements/ qualifications going forward and predicted outcome.

03.01.2022 Hi all. If you have a few minutes, have a listen. Honest answers, no prior planning. http://fm-server.huoncs.com.au//Interveiw_with_Debbie_Arms

02.01.2022 Let’s just touch on what the legislative councils role is... It’s known as the house of review, the upper House of Parliament. It is designed to be a platform to ensure democracy, where individuals from a particular party and independent members come together to vote for or against a Bill that is to be passed through government. Obviously a party member will have a more polarised view and more of a political agenda. An Independent should not hold such views. The decisions m...ade should be to benefit the community. Primarily that is the function... BUT, a legco member can also lobby for change, amendment or something other if the community might benefit from such an action. In reality it’s main function is variable.

01.01.2022 Hi everyone. Let’s talk about the jobs availability in the Huon. Another candidate has pledged to improve the employment in the valley post covid and bushfires by suggesting we need free tertiary education, to retrain and Aquire new skills. I agree that tertiary education should be free to school leavers, but my approach would be to Integrate school leavers in programs in conjunction with businesses, learning on site skills and offering them training. Similar schemes do alre...ady exist, but ramping it up may well better prepare them for employment. I fail to see how even with free education they will be in any better situation to gain employment in the Huon when there simply isn’t any at the moment. Some of Our biggest primary Industry producers have cut their workforce’s Hours and have offered redundancy’s. Small businesses have reduced staff. No tourism is likely to continue to for a very long while. These school leavers will most likely have to travel out of the area for work, so preparation for that is the key. The Huon has taken a massive hit. And we need to be realistic in how we manage our unemployment issues. It’s not the role of the MLC to instigate programs or change how the education system works, but as individuals, we can all offer experience and skill gaining to unemployed. I’ve done it since I opened, and a lot of those girls have gone on to a career in Hairdressing. Talking the talk and walking the walk are two different topics.