Paul J. Stevenson OAM----- --------------
Qld Democrats Candidate for Moncrieff

Email: PaulJ.Stevensonr@qld.democrats.org.au
Phone: (m) 0412 000 080

Paul J. Stevenson OAM, is a Consultant Psychologist who has lived and worked on the Gold Coast for 26 years. He is the National President of the Australian College of Clinical Psychologists, and an Order of Australia Medallist.

Paul worked extensively in the health industry, including fifteen (15) years employment within Queensland Health, and notably for the Gold Coast Hospital and the Miami Psychiatric Clinic. More recently, he has been an onsite trauma psychologist to the Port Arthur Shootings, the Bali and Jakarta Bombings, and an advisor to the Prime Minister during the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

In conjunction with operating a successful private psychology practice (since 1991) in Southport, Paul has raised two children (Lisa - aged 30) and Luke (aged 17) as a single dad, and he considers himself among one of the most disadvantaged and unrecognised groups in society.

"John Howard would have us believe that Australians have never been better off. But, after making it to the top job in my profession (after 35 years in the business), attaining four University degrees, and an Order of Australia, I still struggle to pay the bills and feed my family. Being a sole parent means living on one wage, driving a 33-year-old car, and being ineligible for a home loan.

"Clearly, the country needs to improve on this."

Paul is committed to issues pertinent to Health and Welfare - particularly the plight of the mentally ill, and sole parents. He is also concerned about (and is an authority on) Australia's National Security, having recently published a book on the subject "Postcards from Ground Zero" (Zeus Publications).

Paul joined the Democrats, because he believes it is "the thinking person's party".

"Perceiving the world in absolutes and from the polarised positions of left or right is a fundamental dilemma of logic. I have many years experience in finding real resolutions to complex issues, which involve negotiation and compromise.

"We all have to live in this world, and find a collaborative way to do it. This requires intense analysis, negotiation, broad mindedness, and common sense. I'm proud to be a Democrat."