We are so lucky in Bean to live in the beautiful south of the ACT and Norfolk Island, but we have been taken for granted for far too long as a safe seat.

As an Independent I answer only to you, our community in the Federal electorate of Bean. With an Independent on the powerful cross bench, we will get a different kind of politics that is truly for the people, our community, and our future, not for the major parties and vested interests. We will get politics that has integrity, backbone and works hard for us all.

Bean stops being taken for granted and we become a force to be reckoned with.

We are facing a series of challenges and we need to work together as a community to find solutions.

As your community-backed Independent, together we will create real political change and real solutions for the people of Bean.

Let’s get real on cost of living

• The cost of living is the number one pressure we’re hearing from the people of Bean - the cost of groceries, unaffordable housing and high power bills. 
• We want to explore all the cost drivers - including corporate profits and the supermarket duopoly - and put all the options on the table, including tax reform. 
• As your Independent, I have no vested interests and can drive these questions home and fight for solutions for us. We can push for the hard conversations we need our government to have towards mature, long-term, real solutions.

Let’s fight for integrity in government

• As your Independent representative, I will act with integrity and transparency at all times, and I answer only to you, the people of Bean.
• Strengthen the National Anti-Corruption Commission by increasing transparency of operations, including public hearings.
• Increased protections for whistleblowers.
• Make all political donations reportable in real time, and any donation of any kind reportable over $1000. No more unseen $10,000 dinner tickets to buy influence.
• Require timely publication of politician’s and Chiefs of Staff diaries.
• Make our public service strong and independent again. Protect public service jobs while ensuring we get value for money. Value our public service for the challenging and hard work they do for our community.
• Work to strengthen regulators across the spectrum of government services including the NDIS, Aged Care and Early Childhood Education.

Let’s invest in our community on the south side

• For both sides of politics, “Canberra” is a loaded term, and they won’t fight for us to get our fair share. As your community-backed Independent, I will.
• Work closely with the ACT government to get our fair share of Federal infrastructure funding available for cultural, sporting and recreational facilities for the South side.
• Sort out our NBN infrastructure. We want world class internet in our capital city.

Let’s get stronger action on climate change

• By electrifying Canberra we can ease the cost of living and take meaningful climate action. Electrify Canberra has an inspiring vision to make it easier for people to electrify their homes, including their cars. We understand that the cost of living benefits of electrification are immediate, but the up front costs are prohibitive.
• Increase the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and resource royalties in line with other OECD nations, to fairly fund Australian health, education and investment. We want Australian resources to pay for Australian services.
• No new gas and coal. Taking advantage of our space, sun and wind, there’s money to be made and we should be making it. We need a solid and practical plan for the transition that maximises the economic opportunities.
• Ensuring our community is prepared for the next natural disaster, including the grassroots infrastructure for community fire preparedness.
• We recognise the great work done by our Landcare volunteers. We value our natural environment including local camping, swimming and fishing spots. We want our kids to be able to keep enjoying our bush into the future. I will back Federal legislation that supports our natural environment and biodiversity.

Let’s fix housing affordability

• Secure housing should be seen as a human right, and this belief should underpin legislation and policy, including tax reform.
• We want to transition to solutions that are fair to everyone, and have this necessary conversation together as a community.
• Let’s listen to the experts about what works.
• Strongly advocate that the ACT’s historical housing debt be waived by the Federal Government so those repayments can be used to increase our housing stock.
• Advocate for an improved and appropriate supply of social housing.
• Work with ACT Government to reduce red tape in planning for new housing, without jeopardising safety and quality standards.
• Ensure existing housing stock is being utilised by de-incentivising empty dwellings.

Let’s value our health and aged care workforce and protect and build our health system

• By taxing our natural resources properly, we can afford to fund Medicare appropriately and better incentivise GP bulk-billing. We can increase funding for chronic conditions and mental health consults and dental care.
• Fight for access to the right services, at the right time, in the right place, for the people of Bean.
• Recognise the valuable work of health and aged care workers, and make sure their wages keep pace.
• Prioritise quality and cost-effective care for our aged population in the best setting for them, whether that is their own home or residential care.
• Call for full implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, including sector regulation.
• Quality standards and value for money in NDIS provision.

Let’s value our educators and education system properly

• Through tax reform, including by taxing our natural resources properly, we can fully resource excellent education for our children.
• Recognise the valuable work of our teachers and  educators, including early childhood educators, and make sure their wages keep pace.
• Call for increased funding to expand classroom support staff.
• Protecting choice in education while making sure no child is left behind.
• Advocate for tertiary courses, both vocational and academic, to be provided on the South side.

Let’s sort out our tax system

• Increase the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and resource royalties in line with other OECD nations, to fairly fund Australian health, education, infrastructure and other investment.
• Crack down on corporations paying minimal tax while small business does it tough and income tax is proportionately high - require them to pay tax on the money they make in this country.
• Listen to the experts about meaningful tax reform in this country. The major parties continue to kick this can down the road; Independents can put it on the table.

I believe our elected representative is just one piece in our ecosystem and that we all have a role, together, towards positive change.

• I believe we all have a role to play in our democracy, and I will prioritise engaging with the community to bring about positive change.
• Doing politics differently means coming together to identify problems, seek out lived experience and expertise to craft solutions, and either write legislation to take before Parliament, or else use these solutions to strengthen legislation brought by the government.
• I will work collaboratively with all members of Parliament to achieve the best result for the people of Bean.
• In addition to my strong commitment to community consultation, I will draw from the work done by our expert institutions such as the CSIRO and the NHMRC; I will draw on the evidence, data, and science available for fully informed decisions in policy and my vote for Bean in Parliament.
• My vote will be guided by the people of Bean. I will explain any influence or factors that impact my voting decisions.
• I will seek out your views in various ways, including surveys, town halls and mobile offices, throughout the term of the Parliament. I value diversity and want to hear all voices, including those who are often overlooked. We need to do this together to have strong representation. Community engagement doesn’t end with the election.

Get the job done

• Pass gambling advertising reform.
• Regulate social media companies to obligate them to meet social responsibility standards. This means allowing access to researchers to measure the impacts of social media, banning harmful algorithms, and enacting a framework of conduct that prioritises a safe, developmental understanding of growing brains. Regulate for harm prevention, rather than prevent access to a harmful product.
• Support meaningful solutions for domestic and family violence.
• Review and amend legislation to address political funding to prevent undue influence and genuinely strengthen democracy.
• Pass truth in political advertising laws.

Let’s do this, together.