Election Survey: Paul Chalmers (Labour)

Another Labour response, this time from their candidate for Whangarei, Paul Chalmers, who isn't on their party list. As you'll see he's a bit of a character when it comes to survey answers! The previous response we've published from a Labour candidate has been from Jordan Carter, and we have one waiting in the wings (and hopefully more to come).

The Questions & Answers
Question 1. What do you believe is currently the single biggest issue facing New Zealand women, and how would you like to address it if you are elected?
Checked with the missus – she reckons I need to focus on doing more odd jobs round the house!

Question 2. New Zealand women are paid, on average, over $300 a week less than men, and the difference is worse for Maori and Pacific Island women. What do you propose as a first step towards closing the gender pay gap?
Bring back the Pay Equity Act

Question 3. Do you think NZ's current approach to reproductive rights (abortion, contraception etc) is correct? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
If not, what changes would you want to make?
Yes

Question 4. The police and the courts do not work in preventing violence against women. What other government actions would you take to ensure women can live without fear.
I have a personal experience where the court system worked really well in a female relative with a violent – more rigorous protection enforcement would be one area where improvements could be made along with more effective data sharing to ensure police know that there is a po in place.

Question 5. Those who do the caring work in our society, paid and unpaid, are often the least recognized and the lowest paid, and they work the longest hours. What do you see as the priority to address these issues for those caring for our sick, our elderly and our children?
Raise the minimum wage then pay workers in the state sector a decent amount above that requiring the private sector to keep pace to attract the workers.

Question 6. The Ministry of Health has recently launched a campaign to encourage breastfeeding and is now recommending that babies be breastfeed to at least one year old. What do you think the government could do to ensure that every woman who wants to breast feed can?
Labour has just passed excellent legislation promoting breasfeeding – the Nats voted against it.

Question 7. What single measure do you think our political organizations could take to better encourage young women to be involved and take on leadership positions in our communities?
Mentoring programmes

Question 8. Do you see domestic violence as an issue for women, for men, or for all New Zealanders? (Women, or Men, or all New Zealanders please)
If elected, what strategies would you like to pursue to eliminate domestic violence?
All.
Encouragement of communities to reject any violence via government support eg its not ok featuring prominent males as role models.

Question 9. Successive governments have effectively cut the Domestic Purposes Benefit. Do you believe people raising children alone should have sufficient financial support from the state so that they do not need to go to work until they believe that is the best choice for their family? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
Of course – I’m a bloody Labour candidate.

Question 10. Women do the vast majority of cooking and shopping, and increases in food prices are a burden borne disproportionately by women. What do you think our government can or should do to ensure that everyone has access to good food?
Food labelling of ingredients including place of origin and a bit of community gardening – not so much for the food but for the fun!

Question 11. Do you have any further comments that you wish to make about the role of women in our society? Please feel free to share your thoughts here.
(no answer given)