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Want to know where Liberal Party candidate Sam Gayed sits on some of the big issues in Bendigo?
ScoMo's One Nation decision a sign of 'integrity'
Mr Gayed said the prime minister's decision to preference One Nation below Labor showed Scott Morrison was listening to people's feedback, even if it could hurt a Liberal election outcome.
He saw the decision as a sign of "great integrity".
"He (Scott Morrison) does not see it as a political game, but he sees the values, he listens to people and prioritised that over any other outcome from this decision, even if it could hurt the Liberal's election outcome," Mr Gayed said.
"I love that he is bold in his decisions."
Mr Gayed said decisions about whether One Nation should be preferenced last on Bendigo how-to-vote cards should be left to others.
"Bendigo is just one electorate and these decisions should be made by our (Liberal Party) leaders."
Gayed loves new population policies
Mr Gayed "loved" the coalition's new policies on immigration, saying they would encourage international students to attend regional universities.
International students would be offered enticements to study outside capital cities under the plan and Mr Gayed said it would be a boon for a region with universities like La Trobe and Monash.
"After students finish study they are allowed to work for one (extra) year, so we will have a stronger workforce.
"They (students) will enjoy their move as I did."
Mr Gayed moved to Australia in 2011 on a skilled-migrant visa, before co-founding a national doctors education company with his wife. His family moved to Bendigo in 2013.
The Coalition's plan, which included 23,000 places for skilled migrants under two new visas who spent three years in regional areas, received mixed responses from leaders in Bendigo when it was released recently.
The plan came with a 30,000 reduction in the overall number of immigrants coming into Australia.
Mr Gayed said that was a step needed to deal with crowded metropolitan areas.
Labor negative gearing policies 'frustrate me'
Mr Gayed criticised Labor's proposal to stop investors deducting rental losses from taxable incomes.
The plan would see a Labor government restrict negative gearing to new properties and change capital gains arrangements.
"Here's the general rule: if you remove the incentives from economical system you risk failing it," Mr Gayed said.
"Negative gearing is a great incentive. Don't play with our housing market ... it's not safe or good."
Mr Gayed also took aim at Labor's proposed franking credit changes.
"With those policies in place we have created a budget surplus and we need to keep them," he said.
On the Thales shutdown
Mr Gayed dismissed arguments the government should have ensured Hawkei engines were made in Australia.
"If we could (have made them) we would have done it," he said.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters has criticised the decision to manufacture the engines overseas, saying the government should have insisted on more local content.
"If these engines were made in Australia, the federal government could have intervened and helped to resolve the situation sooner or, at the very least, ensured that Thales manage the roll out of this $1.6 billion contract better," she said.
Thales and the Department of Defence last week deployed a delegation to Austrian manufacturer Steyr Motors.
It came after Thales advised Bendigo staff of a three-week shutdown over an anticipated production shutdown.
Earlier, Sunday. 8am
BENDIGO Liberal candidate Sam Gayed will ask his party to beat Labor party community funding pledges by 10 per cent.
His prospects will depend on convincing his party as it locks in commitments, which Mr Gayed said would be bolstered if the community showed it backed those ideas.
Mr Gayed planned on asking the Liberals to match and add 10 per cent more funds to any pledge for community projects or initiatives within the Bendigo electorate.
"I believe the Liberals are best at managing the economy, producing a budget surplus. That's why we can spend more on schools, hospitals and community projects," he said.
Labor member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the idea sounded like a "catchy marketing campaign", rather than listening to the people of Bendigo.
"Is this federal politics or is this Bunnings Warehouse?" she asked.
Ms Chesters said the 10 per cent figure was a random one and said people should demand Scott Morrison confirm the idea in writing.
Mr Gayed's commitment came as he asked for people to suggest projects the Liberals should back.
"We've received many ideas from the community and we will keep on asking for them. I plan to launch a questionnaire or a poll to see which projects stand out," he said.
He wanted "bold" ideas and said early community suggestions included a psychiatric centre to serve non-acute patients currently travelling to Melbourne for treatment, a solar farm to take advantage of Bendigo's sunny climate or even a theme-park to entertain children.
"There are many ideas. We will see what people want and how the government can help, together with the private sector," he said.
"If we find people passionate about the ideas and who share the same views, that's when we will start to act on it," he said.
Lisa Chesters officially launched her election campaign on Friday night and Mr Gayed planned to kick his off with an event on Saturday 13 April.
Ms Chesters has held Bendigo since 2013 and at the last election she won the two-party preferred vote with 53.74 per cent.
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