Kristyn Haywood, who boasts an enviable track record as a human resources executive and business owner of a leadership consultancy, is running as a Community Independent Candidate for the seat of Wahroonga at the New South Wales State Election.
If elected, Haywood will be the first ever female representative in the electoral district. According to Haywood, "I don't have a speech writer. I don't have talking points written for me. Every word on my website, on my election material in this speech is written by me. I've been an Executive, run a leadership education company for 20 years and last year founded a not for profit to raise the confidence of women and girls. I believe in creating a pipeline of values-driven women leaders to help create a just future. I'm a community person who will listen and collaborate with our community."
In its almost 50-year history, the seat of Ku-ring-gai—now known as Wahroonga—has never been held by a woman. It's been represented by five middle aged men, two of whom became Premiers and both resigned because of questionable conduct. If elected one of Kristyn's first reform agendas will be restoring integrity to Government.
"We must restore integrity to government. It should not be a place for mates to get well-paid jobs that bring the performance of our public service down. For mates to get lucrative contracts, for mates to get grant funding, for mates to have shares in Transurban. Given the history of a total lack of integrity with both major parties it's important we have a strong cross bench to keep the government accountable. Lack of integrity is systemic. The major parties can't fix the culture. You need fresh people outside the political system to change the culture." Said Haywood.
Another of Kristyn's policy platforms is conserving what is left of the critically endangered ecosystem in the Wahroonga electorate. "We live amongst critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest and endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and Duffy's Woodlands Forest. Extinction rates of wildlife like our powerful owls are soaring across Australia. 12 years under a Liberal Government has had devastating impact on nature in the electorate. When I get elected, I will strengthen environmental protection laws. We cannot survive without wildlife. We need wildlife corridors, not disconnected patches for our wildlife to survive. This will help us slow catastrophic climate change that is heading our way unless we act now. I will take a scientific approach."
Another of Kristyn's key policy platforms is social equality. Kristyn believes that urgent reform is required to ensure that we all have equal opportunities, regardless of our gender, ability, sexuality, or background. "Although Australian society is based on the principles of egalitarianism, we have a long way to go before we can say we have a socially equitable society," said Haywood.
"It shouldn't matter what your parents earn, your gender, race, ability or sexual orientation you should be given equal opportunities to thrive in society. Let's be grateful for our privilege and not feel entitled to special treatment because of it. The social divide is growing between the haves and have nots. I will aim to lift the low wages of our female-based workplace because whilst we say we value the important work of teachers, nurses, childcare and aged care workers it's not reflected in their wages. It's time to pay them fairly for their work and stop gender-based wage discrimination."
"I will also work to increase the number of women represented in Parliament and senior jobs within the New South Wales public service—starting with the seat of Wahroonga. A fair, safe and inclusive New South Wales starts with better representation and participation, particularly in Parliament. We all deserve a Parliament that truly represents us. Currently, New South Wales has some of the lowest female representation in the country at just 33%."
About us:
Haywood is the founder of People for Success, a values-based leadership education consultancy. Prior to that, she was a Human Resources Executive. For the last 20 years she has supported over 1,000 leaders across Australia and overseas, to grow into values-driven leaders. Haywood has a Master of Business by thesis and founded Expand Now, a not-for-profit, to raise the confidence of women and girls. She is a mentor for the Women's Federation of World Peace Australia and is active in her local community.
