I am passionate about connecting with the community and ensuring your questions are answered. Whether you’re curious about how independents can make a difference, how to get involved, or debunking misinformation and what I stand for.
If you don’t see your question answered below, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you.
Q: Why are you running as an independent candidate?
Like many people, I’m frustrated with the lack of action from our major parties. I can't help but wonder how will my children afford to move out of home or pay for university? Instead of tackling real issues, the major parties are more focused on staying in power than delivering solutions for us.
I believe politics should be about people, not parties. Running as an independent means I am free from party lines and special interests, allowing me to truly represent the needs and concerns of the Fairfax community. I want to be a strong voice for locals, prioritising real solutions over political games.
Q: What are your key priorities?
My campaign is built around the issues that matter most to the people of Fairfax. They are not limited to the following:
Q: How do you differ from the major party candidates?
Unlike candidates tied to party politics, I will never be forced to vote against the interests of Fairfax because of party directives. I am independent, community-focused, and accountable only to the people who elect me. Major parties often prioritise their national agendas, but I will always put Fairfax first.
Q: Why should I vote for an independent?
Independents have a track record of shaking up the system and delivering real results. Without the restrictions of party politics, I can negotiate better deals for our community and work collaboratively across political lines. More independents in Parliament mean more accountability, more transparency, and better representation for everyday Australians.
Q: What can independents achieve in Parliament?
As an independent, I can focus solely on our community, free from party politics and vested interests. Independents work across party lines to improve legislation and negotiate better deals. For example, independents have secured energy efficiency funding to help households reduce power bills, introduced bills to invest in regional housing, and pushed for reducing HECS debt. I want to bring this collaborative and community-focused approach to Fairfax.
Q: Who would you support in the case of a hung parliament?
If there is a hung parliament, I will always put Fairfax first. I will assess each piece of legislation on its merits and work with any party that is willing to deliver positive outcomes for our community. My decisions will be guided by what benefits Fairfax, ensuring transparency and accountability in every action I take.
Q: Is Francine Wiig Just Another ‘Teal’?
No, I am an independent candidate, not a member of any political party or movement.
While I share some values with other independents—such as integrity, community-driven policy, and action on issues like cost of living, housing, and climate—I am running to represent the people of Fairfax, not a political brand or external organisation.
My campaign is community-led and locally focused. I listen to the people of Fairfax, prioritise their concerns, and make decisions without party politics or outside influence.
I have received start-up funding from Climate 200, an organisation that supports independents who advocate for stronger climate action, integrity in politics, and gender equity. However, Climate 200 does not control my policies or decisions—I am accountable only to the voters of Fairfax. I have also received funding from many other people in our community.
Q: Who are you giving your preferences to?
I will not direct preferences. My how-to-vote card will state 'Vote 1 Francine Wiig' and encourage voters to number every box according to their own preferences. I trust the voters of Fairfax to make their own decisions and believe in empowering individuals to have full control over where their preferences go.
Q: How does preferential voting work, and why is it important?
Australia uses a preferential voting system, meaning that instead of choosing just one candidate, voters rank candidates in order of preference by numbering every box on the ballot.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the primary vote, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voter’s next preference. This process continues until one candidate reaches a majority.
Why is this important?
Q: How do I vote for you?
To support me, put '1' next to my name Francine Wiig and then number every other box according to your preferences. Your vote will only go to the candidates you choose, in the order you rank them.
You MUST number every box sequentially for your vote to count.
Q: How are you going to combat misinformation?
Misinformation is one of the biggest threats to our democracy, and we can’t let it go unchecked. I will combat it by:
Transparency – Always providing clear facts and sources so people can make informed decisions.
Calling it out – Exposing false claims and not letting lies spread unchallenged.
Engaging with experts – Ensuring policies are based on evidence and facts, not fear or political spin.
Community support – With the help of my engaged supporters, we can shut down misinformation when we see it, keeping the conversation honest and accountable.
I also strongly support truth in political advertising laws to stop misleading campaign tactics that manipulate voters and undermine trust in our democracy. Together, we can make sure Fairfax voters get the facts—not just the spin.
Q: How is your campaign funded?
My campaign is funded by everyday Australians who believe in the same vision for Fairfax and want to see a better future. I adhere to strict donation policies, going above and beyond the Australian Electoral Commission’s requirements to ensure transparency and integrity. I have over 250 people in the electorate who have donated to the campaign.
To kick-start my campaign, I successfully applied for start-up funding from Climate 200.
Q: How can I get involved in the campaign?
There are many ways to support my campaign for Fairfax:
Q: What’s the best way to stay updated?