CARL Kendall's reasoning for standing in this weekend's state election in the seat of Murray is a simple one.
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He says he cares about the planet and the future is children will have.
Mr Kendall is Sustainable Australia's candidate for Murray after joining the party 18 months ago.
The Griffith resident explained what the party was about.
"Our beliefs centre on the best interests of the Australian people and we do not shy away from difficult discussions about certain threats to our quality of life and our environment, such as overpopulation and endless exponential growth, which many other parties choose to ignore," Mr Kendall said.
"(I was) amazed by how few people in this electorate had even heard of our party, I knew that it was time to step up and represent the team and our values.
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"(I am) based in Griffith, I have worked around the nation in scientific research, project management, health promotion, HR, farming and hospitality.
"In my spare time I enjoy hiking, fiction writing, gardening, food and wine, travel as much as I can and have a particular interest in sustainable home and landscape design."
Mr Kendall said there were several problems or issues facing the Murray electorate that need addressing.
"While many of our irrigated communities have historically thrived, it is a fragile prosperity reliant on our ongoing access to fresh water," he said.
"There is limited water in the inland river systems that support our towns and industries and while we support decentralisation in principle, further growth of our rural towns must be managed with great care.
"Dry area farmers wholly reliant on our inconsistent rainfall will continue to need support in leaner years.
"Our population is scattered over a vast area in Murray, with many people very isolated and unable to easily access services such as quality health and aged care.
"Presently, Murray residents need to travel to larger hospitals located outside the electorate for medical procedures that were for many years provided locally.
"Also, I believe we will need to increase our vigilance throughout the electorate against powerful foreign entities seeking to own and control land, water and natural resources, but do not necessarily have the best interests of Australia or its citizens at heart."
While Mr Kendall doesn't shy away from the fact he wants a sustainable environment for the future, he said it wasn't at the detriment of irrigators in the MIA.
"While sustainable agriculture has been publicly championed by great men like Paul West and Matthew Evans, many Murray residents are also doing superb things on the local front," he said.
"Irrigators coming up with innovative methods of water recirculation on their properties in order to optimise water use and reduce waste is just one example.
"I believe such actions are highly commendable and therefore back any peer support forum enabling sharing of success stories with other farmers, thus improving the management of the whole area."
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