Speech Pathologist and mother of two, Holly Masters, is stepping up as Family First Party’s Candidate for New England.
Having grown up in the Blue Mountains, she only moved to Armidale in the last few years but has found the community to be one that her and her family thrive in.
“We thoroughly enjoy the community atmosphere and the benefits of country life. I enjoy reading, baking with my kids, tending to the veggie patch and I am part of a local church community,” she said.
Ms Masters studied Speech Pathology at the University of Syndey and has worked across public, private and NGO spaces. She juggles her busy family life whilst also maintaining a part-time career in Speech Pathology but has now decided to make the jump into politics.
When asked why, she said, “I entered politics because I have felt challenged and increasingly concerned that many family values are not being represented in our parliament.”
“I care about the future we’re creating for our children—and I believe we need more voices in Parliament who will stand up for supporting families, freedom of speech, common sense, and the needs of ordinary Australians, which I don’t see happening in either of the major parties.”
“I’ve seen how disconnected government decisions can be from everyday life, and I would love to see that change. I consider Family First a party of common sense, standing for Family and for Freedoms.”
Family First Party comes to the election with policies grouped under the main headings of Family, Faith, Life and Freedom.
For Ms Masters, the overarching issues that governs and defines all others, is freedom.
“Basic freedoms … being free from economic and social coercion,” she said, “Freedom of speech and religion should both be basic rights in a liberal democracy like Australia.”
“Freedom of speech is something I’m really concerned about, a fundamental right that is being gradually eroded. I am an advocate for respectful debate, balanced media, and open and honest discussions, rather than cancel culture, echo chambers and censorship.”
“Those with more conservative or traditional views now often hold a valid fear of not only public ridicule and mockery, but also litigation if they choose to express their values and believes.”
Ms Masters cites the current legal battle that Family First Party director, Lyle Shelton is embroiled in as a key example of the oppression of free speech.
“The director of our party and our lead NSW senate candidate, Lyle Shelton, is himself entangled in a lawsuit, which has now taken more than 4 years and cost in excess of $500,000 simply for expressing his disagreement with Drag Queen Storytime at a Queensland library,” said Ms Masters.
“Far too many people expressing conservative views, are facing unfair prosecutions for simply expressing their views, as attested to by the Human Rights Law Alliance website.”
“This does not bode well for a free society and freedom of speech.”
She also feels that the current state of education, and taxation systems are not beneficial to young families.
“I want to advocate for parents to have the freedom to raise their children in alignment with their own values. I believe parents should be the ones teaching their kids about sexual ideology, when and how they see fit, rather than school curriculums from such a young age.”
“I also feel strongly about freedoms for families to choose how to structure their homelife in the way that suits them, without economic policies that penalise families who choose to have 1 parent stay home – families who are already struggling tremendously with cost-of-living pressures – which is why we support simple measures like income splitting.”
As a mother, and a health professional, another issue that Ms Masters passional advocates for is maternal health care.
“I’m personally a huge advocate for working with state government to improve health access and particularly maternity services in regional areas, which just doesn’t seem to be a priority of the major parties.”
“There have been so many women speaking up about the cost of essential scans, birth trauma and the shockingly poor access to obstetric services in New England, and I believe it is a failure of our healthcare system that it so difficult for women to access care to safely birth their babies.”
The election is being held on Saturday May 3.
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