Election 2016: Meet Patricia Cahill, Greens candidate for Canberra

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Election 2016: Meet Patricia Cahill, Greens candidate for Canberra

Biggest issues: climate change, refugees, health and education.

By Clare Colley
Updated

Climate change, the treatment of refugees, health and education are the main issues for Canberra voters, Greens candidate Patricia Cahill says. And though they may be national issues, she says Canberrans are attracted to the Greens' stance.

"People aren't talking to me about their hip-pocket issues, they're actually talking about what's good for our community and that's wonderful to hear. We have not only a really caring community but a really knowledgeable progressive community. I really feel there's a gap the Greens are filling in this election ... I'm absolutely feeling it in Canberra."

Patricia Cahill (second from right) with fellow Greens candidates Sue Wareham, Carly Saeedi, Christina Hobbs, federal Greens leader Richard DiNatale and ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury.

Patricia Cahill (second from right) with fellow Greens candidates Sue Wareham, Carly Saeedi, Christina Hobbs, federal Greens leader Richard DiNatale and ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury.Credit: Graham Tidy.

Cahill hopes to "champion Canberra". "A lot of election news is quite negative, or bad news, but I actually think there heaps of good news stories in Canberra and I'm keen to put the spotlight on those."

But she acknowledges it's easy for Canberra to be taken for granted, having the most populated lower-house seats in the country. She hopes the Greens' approach to issues like climate change will appeal to voters from all demographics. "It's not just young people who care about climate change. I hear people talking about the legacy we'll leave our children ... I also hear people saying 'we just want the government to have common sense'."

Greens candidate for the seat of Canberra Patricia Cahill.

Greens candidate for the seat of Canberra Patricia Cahill.

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Cahill says Canberrans have the skills to meet the demand for knowledge, innovation, and science. "People are telling me about the issues they passionately believe in and are actually really knowledgeable about."

While she believes Greens Senate candidate Christina Hobbs has "a real chance" of being elected, she thinks of herself as an underdog. However, she says the redistribution could work in her favour. "There is a gap in the community, people are wanting to connect with me. I think people really are looking for progressive representation in Canberra." With a background in urban planning, she is interested in Canberra's role in the region. "The region is looking to us for services and jobs."

  • Age: 46
  • Occupation: urban planner and mother
  • Family: husband and two school-aged children
  • Lives: in Kambah for seven years
  • Political experience: first-time candidate

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