My Policies

Made In Australia

Our country is blessed with many natural resources which are currently exported overseas. These resources are then turned into a finished product and imported back into the country. This means that we are outsourcing Australian jobs to foreign countries.

I feel this is a short sighted approach which makes a handful of Australians (and overseas corporations) extremely wealthy. This country once had a proud history of Australian made products such as automobiles and associated parts industries. Many household items such as washing machines, refrigerators, and stoves, among other things, were manufactured in this country. This helped create jobs and distribute the wealth of our natural resources for all Australians to share. We need to rebuild Australia’s economic independence.

Truth In Politics

While we have laws to protect consumers from false advertising by organisations, there is currently nothing preventing politicians from being deceptive. I believe that Australia can strengthen its democratic values by having more transparency.

This includes real time donation information, knowing who has access to our politicians, including lobbyists and big businesses. I will push for reform in regard to political advertising, and when referendums are held to stop disinformation and misleading voters with false claims.

As an independent representative, one of my goals is to make sure the major parties follow through on promises made to voters and that we have a transparent system.

I believe that as our representatives, politicians need to set by example. Currently, politicians seem to live in a world very different to the average Australian and are out of touch. We often hear about the misuse of public funds through excessive travel expenditures and entitlements claimed by politicians. Yet, these same representatives are quick to propose changes that negatively impact everyday Australians, such as tightening eligibility for pensions or reducing support services, without subjecting themselves to the same standards or sacrifices. I will seek equity for all Australians.

Relationship With Our First Nations Peoples

I want to bring all voices into the room where decisions are made, and that must include First Nations voices. This requires a fundamental shift in how governments work with communities, moving from tokenistic consultation to genuine collaboration.

I fully support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Australia ratified in 2009. First Nations peoples have the right to be involved in decisions that affect their lives, lands, and futures. That means listening deeply, acting on what communities tell us, and valuing lived experience as expertise.

First Nations peoples have always known how to care for Country. From cultural burning to sustainable land and water management, their knowledge systems offer essential tools in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. I support increased investment in cultural land management and community-led responses to bushfires and climate impacts.

But we cannot walk into the future without facing our past. As challenging and painful as it is, truth-telling is critical, which means acknowledging the violence of colonisation, the trauma of dispossession, and the ongoing legacy of policies like the Stolen Generations. I support nationally supported, locally led truth-telling processes, and I stand behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

It’s time to build a new relationship, one grounded in respect, honesty, and shared responsibility. While the Apology was a powerful moment, words alone are not enough. Now is the time to listen, to act, and to walk forward together.

Renewable Energy

Australia is a large country with a vast array of climates. One of the common themes with most of these climates is an abundance of sunshine. Our country is running the risk of being left behind when it comes to using renewables for energy creation.

The days of coal fired power stations are coming to an end. This is inevitable due to coal being a finite resource. As for nuclear power, I for one wouldn’t want to live next to a nuclear power station.

Solar energy is still in its early stages of development, leaving significant room for growth and innovation. We need to make creating our own energy and being able to store it ourselves more accessible to all Australians. This can be achieved through rebates interest free loans and more investment into renewable resource companies.

This will also help to alleviate the cost of living crisis.

Reduce Voting Age

Today, young people have so much access to information and are well informed. We are the ones that will carry the impact, positive or negative, of the decisions made by the government. Whether that’s about education, climate, housing or jobs, it’s only fair that we have a say in shaping those decisions. It’s time we were given more of a voice. At 16, many of us are working, paying tax, learning to drive, and taking on responsibilities at school and in our communities. Some of us are even living independently. If we’re trusted to contribute to the economy and society, we should be trusted to vote.

Lowering the voting age is about recognising that young people care about the future. We’ve grown up in a world that demands action, and many of us are informed but disengaged from politics because we are ignored. Giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote would not only make our democracy more representative, it would also strengthen civic participation from a younger age. It’s not just about ticking a box at election time, it’s about giving us a voice and recognising that we have one. I propose that 16 and 17 year olds be given the right to vote in a voluntary capacity.

Education

The current education system is outdated. Its system is rooted in a model from the 20th century industrial revolution, with standardised testing and rote learning. It does not meet the needs of the 21st century workplace nor the current cohort of students, which has caused many students to become disengaged.

There needs to be a shift in this area. The current public education system is underfunded. Our public schools have slowly been degrading over the years. This has been particularly relevant in the Cowper electorate, which on the whole, has many low socio-economic areas, where families rely on public education. Successive federal governments have been happy to pour money into private and independent schools, and now it is time for public schools to receive more taxpayer dollars.

A strong education system leads to a strong country, and as your representative, I will be pushing for more funding for our schools.

Health And Aged Care

I am grateful for the introduction of universal healthcare; however, the system is currently under significant strain, particularly in regional areas where there is a critical shortage of medical staff, including both General Practitioners (GPs) and Specialists. Compounding this issue is the inadequacy of the Medicare rebate, which makes it difficult for GPs to offer bulk billing. As a result, more people are either relying on already overburdened emergency departments or, worse, avoiding medical care altogether, leading to poorer health outcomes.

To address these challenges, we need targeted investment in rural healthcare workforce development, including incentives for medical professionals to live and work in the regions. Additionally, increasing the Medicare rebate would help make bulk billing financially viable again, ensuring that essential care remains accessible to everyone, regardless of income or location.

The aged care system is also in urgent need of reform. While the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) plays a vital role in identifying individuals' needs to help them remain at home, there are unacceptable delays in the allocation of care packages. People are often left waiting for more than 12 months,during which time their care needs increase and their financial resources deplete. Many are forced to pay out-of-pocket for essential services or attempt physically demanding tasks themselves, risking injury.

I speak from personal experience, having watched my grandmother struggle through this flawed system. Despite a lifetime of hard work and tax contributions, she has been left without timely support. When she finally needed to enter an aged care facility, her children had to extend their mortgages just to cover the financial shortfall.

To improve the aged care system, we must increase funding for Home Care Packages and reduce wait times so that support is delivered when it’s needed. Introducing more flexible funding options that do not completely deplete people’s savings, and providing greater support for family caregivers can also ease the burden. Above all, we must ensure that older Australians are treated with the dignity and care they deserve.

Housing Affordability

As a young person trying to imagine a future in my own community, housing affordability isn’t just a policy issue, it’s personal. Right now, too many young people, families, and essential workers are being priced out of the places they call home. The federal government has real power to influence the system, from investment in social and affordable housing to taxation, planning incentives, and funding models that reward smart, sustainable development.

We need to think differently. I noticed that in Japan, green space is shared, which allows for smarter land use, building community connections, and more affordable housing options. This kind of thinking could help us reimagine housing here, especially in regional areas, by designing communities that are not just liveable, but connected and resilient. There are already places across Australia that have community gardens. While this is focussed on fresh produce, it is a demonstration of sharing land and building community.

Affordable housing isn’t just about price, it’s about access, proximity to work and services, and how we build places that people want to live in. That means encouraging a mix of housing types, investing in infrastructure, and working closely with local councils to make sure planning supports both growth and sustainability. I’m committed to working to influence housing outcomes, because everyone deserves the chance to live in a safe, affordable home, no matter their age or income.

Youth Crime

Recently a National party led rally was held in Kempsey calling for action on regional crime. While crime may be an issue, research shows that harsher sentencing does not work. According to the Youth Justice Report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in December, 2024; 80% of youth offenders returned to detention within one year. What is needed is to address the root causes that lead to offending, rather than waiting for people to offend before anything is done. I commend the work of Learning in the Macleay who have spoken to those most at risk, to garner community led solutions.