Episode 013 - Dr Mike Freelander MP

In this episode, we talk to Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur and Government Whip, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse. Topics covered include: - How a ‘boomer’ politician can understand the needs of young voters - What life was like for young Australians in the 1970s - The biggest struggles for young Australians - What Australians are facing with the current housing and rental market - How the Opposition can influence policy change and development in Australia - The important role of committees in bipartisan policy recommendations - How working as a doctor led to a career in politics - The impact of politics on people’s health - The growing trend towards conservative politics globally - How technology has changed our society - The need to provide more political education in schools - How young people can engage in the political agenda - The benefits of having political discussions at the dinner table - The slightly misunderstood nature of Federal Parliament in Australia - The benefits of school trips to Canberra - Whether or not the voting age should be lowered - The challenges currently facing constituents in the Macarthur electorate - The lack of future planning in Australia - How we deal with the growing population of Australia, including through immigration - The rhetoric around climate change About Dr Freelander: Dr Mike Freelander has been a paediatrician in Campbelltown for 36 years and has dedicated his life’s work to make sure our kids get the best start in life. Mike trained as a paediatrician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Camperdown after completing his residency at the Royal North Shore Hospital. In 1984, Mike and his wife Sharon moved to the Macarthur Region where they raised their six children. At this time Mike commenced work at Campbelltown Hospital where he took on the role as Head of Paediatrics from 1986 to 2013. Mike set up practices in Campbelltown and Camden because he saw that the growing needs of the region were not being met. Despite his workload as a paediatrician Mike still finds time to give back to his profession, teaching the next generation of doctors as a lecturer at Western Sydney University. His hard work and dedication to the region has earnt him the respect of local families and residents. In his 36 years as a paediatrician in the Macarthur region, Mike has seen over 200,000 patients. Mike has increasingly seen his patients and their families face issues of access; access to healthcare, access to work, access to housing and access to education. It is these issues that drove Mike to run for the Federal seat of Macarthur.  Mike is here to try and make life better for the children he has cared for and their families.