Rob Cotterill ----- ---------------------- - --
Qld Democrats Candidate for Griffith

Email: Robert.Cotterill@qld.democrats.org.au
Phone: (m) 0400 601 915

Rob Cotterill, nicknamed Gabba, is the Democrats candidate for Griffith. Rob is a local small business owner. He was born in Brisbane in 1977 and attended Dutton Park State Primary School until 1989, then Brisbane State High School until 1994. Rob attained a hairdressing apprenticeship in a barber shop while studying at Kangaroo Point TAFE.

Rob grew up in Woolloongabba in a single parent family after loosing his mum to cancer at age 39. He has a younger brother to lean on, and the support of a half brother and half sister and many friends.

Rob was involved in rugby league and soccer clubs during his youth, both as a player and a referee, and he credits this experience for his has belief that the only way to achieve anything in life is through hard work and working with your peers.

He took on the challenge of operating a small business after his boss persuaded him to take over the barber shop. Rob has found that managing a business has taught him some valuable life lessons and has fuelled his interest in how government works, in particular how government impacts on small business, and how governments manage tax income. Rob identifies with the Australian Democrats, with their beliefs and policies for all people from all walks of life.

One of Rob's goals is to make housing more affordable in the inner city. This has been a major issue for the Democrats, including pushing for more public housing.

Another issue that has tweaked Rob's political interest is dental care. He sees health care in Queensland as a cause for concern but dental care, he believes, is being totally left out. "We need better dental care for everyone - where can you go for prompt, affordable dental care in Brisbane?" Rob asks.

Having the barber shop in a street retail strip, being self employed, Rob can see the pain and fear that the Howard Government's Workchoices legislation has brought, but he is encouraged by the Democrats common sense in seeing both sides of the industrial relations argument, and in putting forward balanced policies that address these needs. .

Other issues that are of concern to Rob are the rising costs of children's sports, the unnecessary spending on defence, aged care and unresolved conflict in Zimbabwe.

"The next twelve months will be a challenge for me," Rob says, "I'm about to get married, and I'm campaigning for the Democrats in Griffith, for this very important election - so there'll be no footy watching for a while!"