As your independent representative for Fairfax, I am committed to putting people before party politics. As an independent candidate I am free from the obligation of party agendas and ideology, free to collaborate with all sides of politics and across the levels of government to deliver real outcomes, and free to always put our community first.

My commitment to you:

• I will vote based on what's best for Fairfax and Australia, not what party bosses dictate
• I will be transparent about my decisions and voting record
• I will work constructively with all sides of politics to deliver real outcomes
• I will always put our community first
• I will not be distracted by political games or ministerial ambitions

Politics has stopped working for everyday people. The two-party system prioritises winning over delivering, and puts power and party loyalty before community needs. As your independent I'll help restore integrity, transparency and genuine community representation to our democracy.

COST OF LIVING PRIORITIES

What I'm hearing from you: Families, young people, aged care and small family businesses are experiencing real hardships.  Inflation, wages and pensions failing to keep up with rising costs, rapid interest rate increases driving up mortgages and rent increases have all combined to create the cost of living crisis.

My approach:

• Taking on the supermarket duopoly: Support stronger ACCC powers to investigate unfair pricing by major supermarkets and fuel providers. Review the effectiveness of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
• Household energy independence: Expand subsidies and low-interest finance for solar, battery systems and energy efficient appliances
• Insurance sector reform: Advocate for a review of the insurance sector to address skyrocketing health, home and contents, car, public liability and small business premiums. Support the implementation of a national disaster scheme. 

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORT

What I'm hearing from you: Our region is growing rapidly, but infrastructure hasn't kept pace. Congestion, inadequate public transport, and pressure on essential services are increasing and will only worsen as our population grows. 

My approach:

• Fair funding for Fairfax:  Restoration of our region's fair share of Commonwealth funding for regionally significant infrastructure investment to reduce traffic congestion and  improve road safety. 
• Public transport solutions: Work with all levels of government to champion better  bus routes, better regional train links, and safe cycling paths.
• Faster rail to Brisbane: After 30 years of promises, it's time to deliver the rail connection our region needs. This includes duplication of the line between Nambour and Brisbane, and a heavy rail connection to the east.
• Policy shift: To recognise emissions-free electric bus fleets, operating on a regional network basis, are infrastructure worthy of Commonwealth and State funding. 
• Essential services expansion: Advocate for funding to ensure health facilities, schools, and community services match our growth

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND AVAILABILITY

What I'm hearing from you: Soaring housing costs have left many families in rental stress, pushed essential workers out of the area, and left young people giving up on home ownership. 

My approach:

• National Housing Strategy: Push for a comprehensive, pragmatic strategy to address both supply and affordability issues nationwide. Facilitate a collaborative approach between the levels of government, including annual meetings of State and Federal Housing Ministers and Planning Ministers.
• Transparency: Support collection and publishing of comprehensive and accurate data.
• Prevent land banking: Review laws regarding foreign investment and land banking by developers to ensure they serve community interests.
• Increase supply by:
  • Make building houses easier by reviewing building codes to reduce unnecessarily complex and restrictive regulatory requirements, taxes and levies. 
  • Supporting the manufactured home industry by working with Housing Australia, or through tax incentives to build more affordable, faster and more flexible housing. 
  • Addressing skill shortages: Support TAFE training for construction trades, and mandate levels of apprentices on government funded projects. 
  • Support options for tiny homes and multiple dwellings
    • Propose including a section on “houses on wheels” in the National Building and Construction Code to make it easier for State Governments to write supporting legislation. 
      
      
• Help for first home buyers: 
  • Tax reform: Support courageous, evidence-based reforms to make  housing more accessible for first-home buyers, while ensuring economic sustainability. 
  • Creative solutions: Introduce a scheme under which a percentage of HECS debt payments can go to an account used for a home deposit or mortgage. 
    
    
• Immigration: Support skilled migration of relevant workers for areas with urgent shortages. Reduce intake of unskilled migrants until the housing crisis is resolved.
  
  
• Support for renters:
  Increase supply and reduce vacancy rates:
  • Consider restrictions on overseas ownership of dwellings unless available for rent.
  • Consider vacancy tax.
  • Review the number of properties owned by investors that can be used for short term holiday rentals and imposed limits. 
  • Encourage the building of “gentle density” dwellings using rebates or tax incentives. For example, as low-rise apartments in places like Nambour or Maroochydore, and tiny homes in small towns like Yandina.
  • Require developers to build a mix of units, tiny/small houses and standard houses.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

What I'm hearing from you: Local businesses face increasing overheads, staff shortages, and burdensome, restrictive administrative requirements. Small and medium businesses deserve opportunities to scale and innovate. 

My approach:

• Red tape reduction: Push for simplified ATO reporting requirements and regulatory processes tailored to small business realities.
• Asset write-off expansion: Support increased instant asset write-offs substantially to encourage local businesses to innovate and grow.
• Skills development: Champion expanded scholarships and training pathways for local high school graduates and mid-career changers in growth sectors.
• Grants assistance: Establish a service through my electoral office to help small and medium businesses navigate and access federal grant opportunities.
• Support for small businesses to employ women returning to work: Provide support and incentives for small businesses to facilitate flexible working arrangements and job security for women. 
• Law reform: Review thresholds for business size categories to ensure governance requirements are relative and fair. 

CLIMATE ACTION & ENERGY

What I'm hearing from you: Our community wants affordable, reliable and clean energy now, and evidenced-backed climate action. We need proper protection for our precious natural environment in Fairfax, which is central to our lifestyle and economy.

My approach:

• Community energy solutions: Advocate for energy independence by expanding battery projects and subsidies that are socially fair and economically beneficial. Support innovative energy solutions to create local energy hubs to build on our region's high rooftop solar uptake.
• Law reform: Support a proposed legislative framework for climate action, allowing us to capitalise on the social, environmental and economic benefits of a net zero economy. 
• Grid modernisation: Partner with state and federal bodies to upgrade existing local infrastructure so solar owners can feed extra power back safely, lowering bills for everyone.
• Environmental protection: Strengthen federal legislation to preserve wetlands, important  habitats, and high-value wildlife corridors.
• Climate-resilient infrastructure: Support retrofitting flood-prone roads, upgrading stormwater systems, and future proofing building codes.

AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE 

What I'm hearing from you: Our region faces critical shortages in affordable and available GP practices, specialist care and mental health services, forcing many to travel to Brisbane for routine care.

My approach:

• Medicare reform: Support GPs to deliver quality, affordable, future-focused health care. Increase rebates for preventative and mental health consultations. Advocate for higher and smarter Medicare rebates in underserviced areas.
• Mental health expansion: Advocate to double local mental health services capacity and reduce waiting times.
• Preventative healthcare: Champion investment in preventative health programs that reduce long-term healthcare costs and increase our community’s wellbeing. 

TACKLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 

What I'm hearing from you: Domestic and family violence is a national crisis. The rates of deaths and harm remain unacceptably high.

 My approach:

• Fully funded support services for victims: Fight for comprehensive funding for crisis accommodation, legal services, and ongoing support for those living with, or trying to escape, domestic violence. 
• Prevention programs: Invest in evidence-based programs that address the root causes of violence, including respectful relationships education in schools.
• Integrated approach: Develop solutions that recognise the connections between mental health, substance abuse, and family violence through coordinated support services.
• Law reform: Support continued reform to ensure the legal system delivers appropriate and effective outcomes for victims, while also addressing rehabilitation.

EQUALITY 

What I'm hearing from you: The gender pay-gap is real; childcare reform is needed to support women returning to work; women retire with less superannuation and housing security; decisions about women' s health and bodily autonomy should remain between the patient and their health practitioner.

Men's health issues, including mental health, are often overlooked despite their significant impact on families and communities. Investment in men’s health is critical to reducing high premature death rates, and supporting healthy and happy relationships and communities.

My approach:

• Flexible work arrangements: Advocate for flexible work arrangements that allow families to balance family and work. 
• Childcare reform: Review of current childcare arrangments to provide more flexibility, high quality care, and address accessibility and affordability issues. 
• Men's health initiatives: Champion dedicated funding for men's physical and mental health services, including preventative health programs and mental health support
• Bodily autonomy: Advocate for health decisions to remain between the patient and their health practitioner, acknowledging the jurisdiction of the state does not extend to these issues. 

INTEGRITY IN GOVERNANCE

What I'm hearing from you: Trust in our political system has eroded as people witness self-serving politics, lack of accountability, and decisions that favour big commercial interests over the average Australian. 

My approach:

• Reform lobbying rules: Advocate for stronger regulations on political lobbying and a more transparent system.
• Whistleblower protections: Push for stronger protection for those who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
• Strengthen anti-corruption measures: Strengthen and expand the National Anti-corruption Commission's scope and resources to ensure its effectiveness. 
• Truth in political advertising: Champion legislative amendments to ensure honesty in political communication.

CONTINUING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

If elected, I will maintain ongoing, meaningful engagement with our community—not just during campaign seasons. I will:

• Establish regular community forums across different parts of Fairfax to allow opportunities for conversation and seek input on legislation
• Create local policy advisory groups on key issues like health, small business, infrastructure and environment to ensure local expertise informs my decisions
• Maintain an accessible office with staff dedicated to helping constituents navigate federal services and address concerns
• Invite constituents to Canberra to witness Parliament firsthand and better understand how your voice can influence national decisions
• Develop a volunteer program where community members can attend meetings on my behalf and spend time working in my office to gain insight into the parliamentary process, strengthening the connection between policy and people
• Support deliberative democracy initiatives such as citizens' assemblies and participatory budgeting that give community members direct input into decision-making
• Conduct annual listening tours throughout the electorate to ensure I remain connected to evolving community priorities
• Provide transparent information through regular newsletters, social media updates, and an easily navigable website that explains my voting record and reasoning

My plan ensures that community engagement  doesn't end on election day. I commit to continued listening, collaborating, and advocating for our community.

My vision is for a Fairfax where we can all afford to live safely and happily, where business can thrive, where essential services keep pace with growth and where our community has a real voice. Most importantly, I want to rebuild trust in our representative democracy by bringing integrity, transparency, and genuine community engagement back to parliament.

It's time for people, not parties.