Why Am I Standing to Run as an Independent in 2025?

OVERALL FOCUS/WHY AM I STANDING?

As an Independent, I am not limited by a party platform but can stand up for the people of Leichhardt. I can speak your truth to power.

Do you want more of the same? Then vote Labor and see our nation continue to go down the tube with a cost-of-living crisis. Do you want to get this nation back on track as the Coalition promises? What will they backtrack on? Do you want to vote for the Greens, once the party for the environment, now the party that supports terrorism?  Do you want someone who will work for you? Do you want someone who will govern for all Aussies? I will do both. I am passionate about serving you.

We are at a crossroads as a nation. We need a gamechanger. I can bring the change you’re looking for. As well as scrutinizing bills that are put to parliament, debating them and voting for amendments that work for you, I can also introduce legislation that will benefit you.

As an Independent, I can work on committees on important issues and make speeches in parliament. I will speak up on Indigenous issues and issues that affect all Australians.

Independents have serious power in a hung parliament or minority government

A hung parliament occurs when no party achieves a majority in parliament. So major parties are forced to make deals with Independents and minor parties to secure their support and form government. This means that Independents can force major parties to adopt policies that support stronger action in their area of concern e.g. housing affordability.

We may end up with minority government with neither major party being able to progress its policy platform without the votes of Independents like me who can extract concessions on your behalf. I may have the balance of power to help get important legislation over the line or prevent bad legislation from passing. This is called the power of the crossbench, a group of seats of parliamentarians who sit between the government and the opposition.

Independents work for their community, not their party

There is an increased likelihood of Independents being elected because there has been a drift away from the major parties. This is because of a pervasive feeling of being let down by the major parties. MPs who are members of political parties risk their loyalty being to the party machine instead of the local interests of their electorate.

Unlike candidates from major parties, Independents will never have to choose between voting with their constituents or voting with their party when their interests don’t algin. My loyalty will be to my constituents. My loyalty is to you.

I stand for honesty and accountability in government. Labor repeatedly promised a $275 cut to electricity costs before the last election and did not deliver on it. Instead, prices have increased dramatically but there has been no owning up to this fact.

I am appalled that this beautiful Australia that I love is now a nation where:

·      The highest cause of death among children and youth is from suicide

·      People can’t afford their mortgages and even put food on the table and homelessness is increasing and people are relying more on food banks

·      Businesses and farmers are going bankrupt affected by the cost of living which impacts the cost of doing business

·      Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still experiencing a lower socio-economic status on many indicators as the Closing the Gap evidence reveals

·      Antisemitism has been on the rise hurting our Jewish community and affecting the social cohesion and safety of all Australians creating national security issues

·      Youth crime is on the rise around Australia including in Cairns and other parts of Leichhardt so that people are fearful and feel unsafe.

·      Some people are dying unnecessarily with public hospitals needing more funding to reduce surgery waiting lists and reduce ambulance ramping

And this is the tip of the iceberg. We need a change, and I have the passion, the inspiration, the drive, and the will to bring this change. Please get behind me to make this happen!