Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has announced to support the Sustainable Population Party candidate William Bourke as North Sydney by-election nears in December.

Dick Smith, who owns a chain of consumer electronics across the nation, has vouched to support Burke for his unending fight against the sell-off of land around the Royal North Shore hospital.

“My kids were born at the Royal North Shore Hospital and I admire the way William is standing up to oppose the sell-off of land around the hospital,” Smith was quoted by Newsmaker as saying.

He believes that the land, which has taken care of patient since ages and is continuing to improve, should not be sold off for short-term economic gain. He also showed his concern over the rising population and over development across the North Sydney area, which is threatening the standard of life.

He felt that Burke has been fighting for a real cause as most of the other politicians were focusing on the “perpetual growth agenda.” “The North Sydney Electorate is on its way to being like Shanghai as houses with backyards are replaced with high-rise,” stated Smith, while noting that prices of the houses were increasing at an alarming rate that remained affordable to the very wealthy ones.

Taking a dig at the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, he mentioned that this by-election would reflect how and why it was impossible to achieve never ending growth. “A vote for William Bourke and the Sustainable Population Party is a great way to send the government a message that we want an Australia that is better, not bigger,” Smith added.

For a long time, Smith has been advocating for sustainable population policy in Australia and has opposed the “ridiculously huge” rates of immigration and “the madness” of perpetual economic expansion.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES