FOLLOWING a 40-year career in the financial services industry, a would-be Deputy is seeking to represent St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter in the States Assembly.
Chris Rebindaine said his experience, which also included five years working as an investigator in the Economic Crime Unit, left him “uniquely qualified” to tackle the challenges facing the Island.
“Excessive regulation and a lack of collaboration are paralysing government and we do not seem to be able to get anything done”, he stated.
Mr Rebindaine said he believed the government could become 10% more efficient whilst costing Islanders 10% less to run. “With these modest improvements, the government can run at a surplus, the hospital construction can be afforded and taxes can begin to fall,” he added.
In addition to his commitment to the finance industry, Mr Rebindaine said he wanted to drive a concerted effort to revitalise both agriculture and tourism, encouraging these sectors to work together to underpin a gastro-tourism initiative whilst also providing Islanders with greater food security.
Expanding on his desire to focus on tax if elected, he added: “When the government reduces its own expenditure so that a regular surplus is seen, the rate of taxes can start to fall, leaving more money in the pockets of voters to spend as they wish – this is a completely different conversation to ones heard over the past four years and shows why a different approach from new people is needed.”
Mr Rebindaine and former Housing Minister Russell Labey were two candidates to emerge just ahead of the official announcement of nominations. Also on the ballot paper in St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter will be existing Deputy Lucy Stephenson, fellow independents David Benn and Arlene Maltman and Reform Jersey’s Helen Evans.
