Alex Rubin has resigned from the military after a long career to contest the NSW seat of Lismore for the Nationals.
What is your big number one issue that you’re looking at going into this election?
”Water security, building a future-ready Northern Rivers that is drought-proof and flood safe. This is the key to all our futures. We live in both the most drought-prone and flood-prone areas of New South Wales.
‘We need to address the lack of action but it’s not too late. What people are saying to us is that we need to look beyond the next election cycle and take action for the next generation.’
People who aren’t members of Parliament would certainly get the impression
from watching the television that it’s a bunfight – Are you prepared for that sort of life in Parliament?
‘I am ready to stand up and represent our community with the values of honesty, accountability and transparency. I have experienced complex and agenda-driven negotiations while deployed with the UN in Syria, helping to keep two countries from re-escalating a centuries-old conflict.
‘There is always a pathway to peace and rational discussion toward an outcome where everybody benefits. I believe in our democracy but would like to see our processes and discourse retract from extreme ideologies and self-
serving agendas.
‘This is where I aim to make real change.’
What is your background – what did you study at uni? What did you train for?
What skills do you bring to this?
‘I was only 19 when I left to join the Army as a soldier. I always dreamt of being a pilot but did not have the school grades or money. So I did it the hard way, I went to night school to get the education requirements which enabled me to gain selection to train as an aviation officer.
‘From this, I learned that education is a lifelong journey. I now have a Masters Degree in Science and Technology and have trained to speak multiple languages.
‘After 26 years of military service and deployment to 19 countries, I have served as a peacekeeper, humanitarian, diplomat, and emergency responder. I want to bring my lifetime of experience protecting and helping people into the political arena. I am not a politician – I haven’t grown up as a political staffer or local councilor, but this is a good thing. My focus has always been delivering practical solutions – it’s how I was taught. I have lived by the values that “leaders eat last” and accountability is core to being a leader.’
What is your current job?
‘I was until recently, the Army Operations Officer for Northern New South Wales. However, under the Defense Parliamentary Act, I have had to resign from the military in order to run in this election. So I have taken a huge leap of faith, at great personal risk, it is like jumping out a plane without a parachute.’
Why is it important to you that you’re in Parliament?
‘It is important to cut away the interparty bickering, the ideology wars and have elected leaders focus on the actual role of politicians – serve their community. If we do not have change then we will just get the “same old same old” kicking the can down the road, with endless committees and discussions with no real outcomes.
‘I care, I listen and I want change for our future. I promise to check my ego at the door and fight for what our whole community will benefit from.’
Looking New South Wales Parliament at the moment what is the thing that frustrates you the most?
‘Everyone is telling us that they are sick of the retail politics and the mudslinging that we see every day coming out of State Parliament. People are losing faith and feel that the social contract with elected representatives is broken.
‘We all want to an end to the backroom deals, schoolyard bullying tactics, concessions and the tradeoffs. I would go as far as to say all of Australia has been suffering a leadership
drought for a long time. I am committed to open and transparent engagement based on rational evidence-based decision-making that is for the betterment of all people in Northern New South Wales.’
The Echo has asked all Lismore Seat candidates – Matthew Bertalli, Adam Guise, James McKenzie, Vannessa Rosayro, Alex Rubin and Janelle Saffin MP – to answer the same set of questions.
View candidate interviews here.
Perhaps this trained, dynamic, emergency-responder is just what Lismore needs post 2022’s 1:300 flood and dragging aftermath ?
Highly unlikely, he would have to be super human to out do Janelle Saffin, after the pathetic response from the Perrottet Govt he should be apologizing to all of the people who suffered unnecessarily because of it.
No need for an apologising Alex Rubin, as Premier Perrottet has already done all the sorry business for the Flood Disaster response ( and National Bushfire Apocalypse fire 2019/20 response).
Part of a piece- Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Premier takes responsibility for inadequate emergency response to floods’
by Sarah Keoghan March 8, 2022 –
“NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says he takes responsibility for the lack of an adequate emergency response to the NSW floods and has vowed to undertake an honest assessment of what could have been improved.
Mr Perrottet’s ownership of the issue came after the Premier spent a number of days in flood-affected areas where, he said, it became “pretty clear” more could have been done.
“Had neighbours not got in boats then I believe the death toll would have been much higher,” the Premier told ABC radio on Tuesday morning.
“My role is to ensure that people in these circumstances are kept safe.
“And from stories of people I’ve met … the heartbreaking stories over the course of the week where people felt isolated and abandoned … I don’t want anyone in my state to ever feel like that.”
Mr Perrottet also admitted in the interview he agreed with former NSW minister Andrew Constance that the state’s disaster response had not improved since Black Summer.
In Tuesday’s Herald, Mr Constance, whose electorate was devastated by fires, warned the state government must get better at reaching people quickly as natural disasters become more frequent.
When asked whether he agreed with Mr Constance’s comments, the NSW Premier responded: “I do, absolutely.”
“I’ll take whatever action I need to improve the situation,” he said.
“As we get to that rebuilding phase, we’ll certainly look at better planning and more flood mitigation and fire mitigation.”
As another Echo article referenced, all that the pollies want is to, “move on” and we”ll oblige on March 25, making it “moveD on’ out of government.
“until recently, the Army Operations Officer for Northern New South Wales. ” so Rob, It does look as though he does bear some responsibility For the totally inept response to the recent list of disasters, that were totally ill-prepared for and negligent in the way ‘authorities’ avoided meaningful action.
In view of his extensive experience with warfare, and National Party affiliation, one wonders if he has been guilty of such war-crimes as invading Iraq or Afghanistan ? Has he trained enemy combatants, Israelis or other fascist states e.g. Indonesian forces who are currently exterminating the West Papuan natives ?
He IS promising the Earth, but that’s what politicians do to get elected.
Cheers, G”)
The Nats must have a bottomless pit of gunslingin’ good ol’ boys. Bless’em.
From the party that’s been running the state into the ground for over a decade…. Seriously, trust a conga line of corruption, a party that contemplated sending 800 police to force unwanted toxic CSG into the district against what was obviously against the people’s wishes and best interests….
If u happen to meet Alex Rubin, you can’t help being impressed by his achievements . Ask him to provide a verbal CV on his work history. If he is successful in entering politics and goes beyond 10% of what results he produced for the army, he’s a winner. Give him a go. He is riddled with creativity, discipline, structured thinking and to top it off, multi lingual to boot. Top shelf material and we should all be grateful he’s out there to improve big time on current concerns. He sure has the background for it. Move forward and never remain stationery!
Maybe much is true, but his biggest weakness, problem & mistake is choosing to represent the Nats. That alone demonstrates how out of touch he is.
Also good advice to “move forward and never remain…. office writing supplies !”
He sounds far too intelligent to be a member of the Nationals Party.