There is only one way to vote for change. Vote 1 Independents for Canberra. Find out why.

How to vote

I am running as an Independent in the ACT Legislative Assembly election. A locally focused Independent can bring attention to local issues that have are neglected by the major parties, while adding scrutiny to Canberra-wide issues.

As an Independent, I believe my strongest value will be in influencing how policies are made, regardless of what that policy is.  I value evidence-based policy and strong community engagement.

Nonetheless, it is still helpful to understand what type of person I am.  These are my policies and platforms (with more coming every week), which speak to my values. However, as an Independent representative it is my duty to listen, understand and most importantly represent your point of view.  I stand by my beliefs publicly and am willing to discuss them with anyone, though I am always open to alternate points of view.  I will admit if I didn’t have all the evidence to back up a particular position and change my mind when presented with new evidence.

To speak with and for the people is core to being a member of the Legislative Assembly.

A HAPPY, HEALTHY, EDUCATED, AND INFORMED CANBERRA

These are the key things that Canberrans should have.

• Happiness comes from having a secure roof over our heads, food on the table, connectedness to our community, and more.
• Our healthcare system needs to be a comprehensive approach to our physical and mental wellbeing.
• Education at all ages and levels improves personal and societal outcomes. From preschool, we should strive to be life-long learners and have the opportunity for excellence.
• We should be an informed population. We should be told what our government is doing, is planning, and is considering. Nothing the government does should be a surprise to the people.

I support Voluntary Assisted Dying. Voluntary assisted dying laws allow people with certain medical criteria the right to end their life on their own terms. There is dignity and compassion in this. I support Canberra’s VAD laws as a positive first step. We aren’t done yet, though we must tread carefully. READ MORE

I support a city-wide Light Rail network. It looks like things have gone off the rails, but I would like to help get them back on, not scrap the project. One stage per decade is not good enough. READ MORE

Casey has a history of missing things it was promised. From FTTP NBN in some parts, to a bowling green, to a cafe at the pond, there have been too many empty promises. Other parties are joining my call for an indoor sport centre, but as an Independent I will make sure it’s the state-of-the-art facility we need. READ MORE

The Nicholls Enclosed Oval pavilion is no longer fit for purpose. It hosts rugby, cricket, rugby league, OzTag, soccer, and even mixed martial arts. It is a dated facility that no longer serves the needs of the Gungahlin community. For starters, women players must share a toilet with male players, walking through the men’s change room and past urinals to get there. READ MORE

Climate Change is the defining issue of our time, and we are at a defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly. READ MORE

Every child should have the opportunity to play sport with a community club. ACT Active Kids vouchers for school children will knock down barriers for families. READ MORE

It’s crisis after crisis these days, and education is up next. A good education is critical to individual and societal success. We treat schools and teachers like babysitters but expect them to perform magic with one hand tied behind their backs. READ MORE

It’s time for some uncomfortable conversations about what our approach to bullying in schools looks like. This is an incredibly difficult topic, but it is life-changing for the victims. It is too important to get this wrong. READ MORE

Meals in Schools is a good initiative, but it was under-resources and over-promised from the time it was announced as an election commitment 4 years ago. READ MORE

TRANSPARENCY & MUTUAL TRUST CREATING A STRONGER DEMOCRACY

I believe the government and the people should be able to trust each other, and I believe that trust has broken down. One of us must start to mend that trust, and I believe that should be the government. If they can demonstrate that they trust the people, then the people might start trusting the government again. Once we have established this mutual trust, we can work together for the betterment of our community – that’s what a democracy should be.

ACT Labor haven’t had to defend their policies to an opposition, a cross bench, or even the ACT public in far too long. That lack of scrutiny is bad for democracy. At best, it breeds complacency and arrogance. At worst, it breeds corruption and incompetence. MORE COMING SOON

The roles of the Chief Minister and Treasurer are both incredibly important, and incredibly powerful. Just like in any public listed company, separate people should fulfill these roles. Concentrating that much power in the hands of one person is not good for transparency, accountability, or good governance. MORE COMING SOON

Politicians who block constituents on social media are not accountable or transparent. They create an echo chamber and cannot accurately represent the people they are meant to. I will stop Canberra politicians from unfairly blocking people on official channels. READ MORE

INDEPENDENTS DRIVING COMMUNITY-FOCUSSED OUTCOMES