Benambra’s Sonia Buckley is running as an Independent candidate in the Federal Election on May 18.

Ms Buckley is no stranger to elections, having contested both state and federal seats in the East Gippsland region in the past. During the recent Victorian State Election, Ms Buckley ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the seat of Gippsland East, which was retained by sitting member, Tim Bull, for the Nationals.

The daughter of East Gippsland Shire councillor, Ben Buckley, Ms Buckley believes running as an Independent allows her to express her own opinions and not be dictated to by a party.

“Voting Independent gives community the scope to have their real views heard and not just what a major party wants,” Ms Buckley said.

“There are many challenges we face in the future and our government lacks long term vision.

“Many of us are disillusioned with the two-party system so a vote for an Independent can be a powerful solution, especially in a minority government.

“If there was one thing that I could do to bring political change in peoples lives it is to offer an alternative as an Independent and bring the voice for the common person to the table to be heard.”

Ms Buckley says after talking to people out in the community she is left with the sense that many feel the government “is out of touch”.

“Big government has lost its way bowing to multi-national corporations; we often feel overburdened by rates and taxes, then watch government spend it on outdated systems such as nbn or creating a bigger government to implement more legislation and restrict our freedoms,” she said.

“I believe in a smaller effective government, less taxes and our right to freedom. I will fight for that.”

Ms Buckley says she believes climate change will play a role in the forthcoming election.

She is quick to point out that she is neither a climate denier nor a climate alarmist, but believes Australia must have an action plan to do “the best we can for the planet, regardless of whether you believe in climate change or not”.

“So let the argument stop and let’s get on with it,” Ms Buckley said.

Ms Buckley has also questioned what she calls the “flawed Environmental Effects Statement process” in regards to mining.

“Agriculture should always take precedence over mining,” she said.

“I am not anti-mining, yet it should never be permitted at the headwaters of any river or detrimentally affect sensitive areas and is happening with the expansion of the Stockman’s Tailings Dam in Benambra, and threatens the Tambo River all the way to Metung.

“A vote for an Independent is a clear message to the major parties that enough is enough.

“I have respect for Darren Chester, he is a very pleasant man, but his party is in turmoil with the Murray Darling Basin fraud.

“How can anyone put their trust in the National Party when they exploit our water resources and misappropriate our tax dollars, all the while handing out permits to companies who may or may not do the right thing as long as the government is rewarded with royalties.”

PICTURED: Sonia Buckley is running as an Independent candidate for the seat of Gippsland in the forthcoming Federal Election. (PS)