The Seat of Essendon is a strong, proud and connected community, but residents are rightly concerned about the pressure on Families, Roads, Schools, Health Services, Public Transport and Local Infrastructure. My priorities are practical, local and focused on the issues people raise with me every day.
The Seat of Essendon is a strong, proud and connected community, but residents are rightly concerned about the pressure on Families, Roads, Schools, Health Services, Public Transport and Local Infrastructure.
My priorities are Practical, Local and focused on the issues people raise with me every day.
Helping families get ahead again
Across Essendon, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights, Essendon North, Essendon Fields, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Flemington and Travancore, families are feeling the pressure of rising mortgage repayments, increasing rents, higher grocery prices, soaring energy bills, insurance costs and the rising cost of everyday essentials.
Too many people are working harder than ever yet finding it more difficult to make ends meet. That isn't good enough.
I know families don't expect miracles. They simply want a Government that understands what it's like to balance a household budget, make difficult financial decisions and live within its means. I'll always fight for practical solutions that help families keep more of their hard-earned money and make life more affordable.
Safer communities = stronger communities
One of the most common concerns I hear from residents across the Seat of Essendon is that they no longer feel as safe as they once did. Families are worried about youth crime. Older residents tell me they don't feel comfortable walking alone at night. Local business owners are frustrated by theft, vandalism and repeat offending.
Residents continue to raise concerns about stolen vehicles, aggravated burglaries, antisocial behaviour and groups of young offenders riding stolen motorbikes, illegal motorised bikes and high-powered scooters through streets with little regard for the safety of others. Community safety is not a political issue. It is a fundamental responsibility of Government.
People should never have to change the way they live because they don't feel safe. Every family deserves to feel safe. Every business deserves to operate without fear of crime. Every Senior Citizen deserves to walk through their neighbourhood with confidence. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe community. A safer Essendon is a stronger Essendon.
No more growth without infrastructure
Traffic congestion has become one of the biggest frustrations for residents across the Seat of Essendon. Every day, thousands of people experience delays on Mount Alexander Road, Keilor Road, Bulla Road, Buckley Street, Waverley Street, Epsom Road, Racecourse Road, Maribyrnong Road, Pascoe Vale Road and many surrounding local streets.
As the community continues to grow, the roads, footpaths, cycling infrastructure and public transport network must grow with it.
People should be spending time with their families — not sitting in traffic because of poor planning. I'll fight for practical transport solutions that improve traffic flow, make our roads safer, protect pedestrians and support better transport options for everyone.
Reliable. Accessible. Connected.
A growing community deserves a public transport system that is reliable, safe and accessible. For too long, residents have been promised improvements to Essendon Station and better transport connections, yet many of those promises remain undelivered.
Reliable public transport is essential to a connected and growing community. I'll continue to advocate for better trains, trams, buses, safer stations and improved accessibility so residents can travel with confidence. Better public transport doesn't just benefit commuters — it reduces congestion, supports local businesses, connects communities and improves quality of life for everyone.
Supporting local schools — investing in our future
As a qualified Primary and Secondary Teacher with more than 30 years' experience, I understand the opportunities and challenges facing students, parents, teachers and school communities. Throughout my career, I have worked in local schools, supported thousands of young people and delivered cyber safety, anti-bullying and student wellbeing programs across our community.
Education changes lives and every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Having spent more than 3 decades in education, I know that every child can succeed when they are given the right opportunities, the right support and teachers who believe in them. I'll always be a strong advocate for students, teachers and families — because investing in education isn't just about today's classrooms, it's about building a stronger, more skilled and more successful community for generations to come.
Help should be available when you need it
Access to quality healthcare should never depend on where you live or how much you earn. Yet too many local families are facing long waiting lists, rising healthcare costs, increasing pressure on ambulance services, growing demand for mental health support and overcrowded hospitals.
Our community also relies on the outstanding work of our emergency services and volunteers, including Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, the CFA and the SES. They deserve the funding, equipment and resources needed to protect our community and save lives.
Quality healthcare is not a privilege — it is a fundamental right. I'll always advocate for better hospitals, faster ambulance response times, improved mental health services and stronger support for our emergency services and volunteers. A healthier community is a stronger community and I'll always fight to ensure no one is left behind.
Strong local businesses. Strong local communities.
Local businesses are the backbone of our community. They create jobs, support local families, sponsor our sporting clubs, contribute to community events and keep our shopping strips vibrant and welcoming.
Having worked in business for most of my career and alongside hundreds of local businesses, I understand the challenges facing business owners. I am proudly pro-business because when local businesses succeed, our entire community benefits.
I've spent much of my career working in business and alongside local business owners. I understand the risks they take, the long hours they work and the challenges they face every day. When local businesses succeed, local families succeed, and our entire community prospers.
Sensible development. Proper infrastructure.
The Seat of Essendon is changing rapidly. Major developments, including the Moonee Valley Racecourse redevelopment, will bring thousands of new residents into our community. Growth is inevitable, but it must be planned responsibly and supported by the infrastructure that communities need.
Too often, Governments approve major developments first and only begin addressing the consequences afterwards. Planning should be proactive, not reactive. Plan first. Build second. Deliver the infrastructure our community needs before asking residents to carry the burden of poor planning.
Growth is inevitable — but poor planning isn't. I'll always support sensible development that provides more housing opportunities, but I will never support growth that comes at the expense of our community's liveability, character or quality of life. A growing community deserves proper planning, not bigger problems.
Everyone deserves to live close to family, work, school and community
Owning or renting a home has become increasingly difficult for many Victorians. Young people are struggling to buy their first home, families are facing rising rents and mortgage repayments, and many older residents worry about whether they can afford to remain in the communities they have called home for decades.
I believe we can increase the supply of affordable housing while protecting the liveability and character of our neighbourhoods. Housing policy should strengthen communities, not divide them.
I support affordable housing, responsible growth and stronger communities. But I do not support growth without the infrastructure needed to support it. Good communities don't happen by accident — they are built through good planning, sensible investment and putting people first.
Healthy communities need healthy spaces
Parks, sporting clubs, recreation facilities, community groups and open spaces are at the heart of every great community. Sport has played an important role throughout my life, and for more than 18 years I proudly served as Council's representative for Sport and Recreation, working closely with local sporting clubs, volunteers and community organisations.
My support extends beyond sport — I strongly believe in investing in dance, music, theatre, the performing arts, cultural organisations and community events.
Community sport is about far more than winning games. It brings families together, creates lifelong friendships, improves physical and mental health, and teaches values that stay with us for life. I'll always be a strong voice for local sport because investing in our clubs is investing in our community.
Restoring trust in Government
Trust is earned through honesty, integrity and action. People deserve a Government that listens, spends taxpayer money wisely and always puts the interests of the community ahead of politics.
As an Independent, my loyalty will never be to a political party. My loyalty will always be to the people of Essendon. I don't believe people have lost faith in democracy. I believe they've lost faith in Politicians. My job is to earn that trust back — 1 conversation, 1 decision and 1 community at a time.
If elected, I will always be accessible, accountable and approachable. I won't disappear between elections. I will listen. I will work hard. I will be visible throughout our community. I will always put the people of the Seat of Essendon first. Because public office is a privilege — not an entitlement — and every day I will work to earn your trust.
Volunteer, donate or contact me with your issue — strong representation begins with active listening.