Advocacy

Victorian businesses are doing it tough — and they deserve better.

Across Victoria, small and family-owned businesses are facing increasing taxation, regulation, red tape, government overreach and rising costs, while also dealing with growing concerns about crime and community safety.

For many business owners, years of hard work and investment are being put at risk. Staff are increasingly concerned about their safety, while owners are questioning whether they can continue to operate under the growing burden.

As a small business owner myself, I understand the real financial impact of government interference and overreach.

Small businesses are the backbone of Victoria’s economy. They create jobs, support families and keep our communities thriving.

If elected, I will advocate strongly for Victorian businesses — pushing back against excessive taxation, unnecessary red tape and government overreach, and fighting for safer communities where businesses and their staff can thrive.

Victorian businesses need a government that backs them, not one that makes it harder to succeed.

Homelessness is a growing crisis and it is not only in the CBD.

Every night volunteers go out in all areas of Melbourne and suburbs to provide relief and assistance wherever they can.

The Mickleham facility, 28km from Bundoora District, closed its doors within 8 months after operating as a quarantine center and stands empty with 1,000 beds that could be utilised.

A UOQ paper suggests every homeless person housed could save governments $13,000 annually in costs associated with hospitals, crisis accommodation, and imprisonment in the homelessness cycle. https://commongroundqld.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2023-Cost-Offset-Update_Formatted.pdf

So why are we not having the conversation about the Mickleham facility being used, ESPECIALLY during winter. And potentially allowing for $13M being save or utilised better?

I’m very pleased to see Banyule City Council and other Councils advocating against the introduction of these purple glass bins.

The City of Whittlesea has had them in place for several years, and I’ve heard from many residents who are unhappy with how they’ve worked in practice.

The implementation of the service will cost residents millions of dollars and have ongoing cost that will inflate already inflated rates. 84% of responses to a survey opposed the introduction of a separate glass bin.

For years, I’ve raised concerns that this decision appeared to be driven less by the interests of residents or the environment and more by arrangements that benefited associates of the Labor Government.

Residents deserve transparency and decisions that put their communities first.

Watsonia residents deserve better than a six-storey car park.

There is growing concern about the scale, design and long-term impact of the proposed parking structure at Watsonia Station.

This isn’t about opposing parking. It’s about getting the design right for Watsonia and its future.

Key concerns include:

• Six storeys is excessive and could set a precedent for much larger developments around our train stations.
• The station itself isn’t being upgraded, meaning further disruption could occur when upgrades are eventually needed.
• Permanent loss of views and open outlook will change the character of the area.
• Safety concerns remain, particularly for women, students, older residents and people with disabilities.
• Residents have raised concerns about whether the design adequately considers accessibility requirements.
• The scale risks undermining Watsonia’s valued village feel.
• Lower-scale and underground alternatives do not appear to have been fully explored.
• Most importantly, residents deserve meaningful consultation before a permanent decision is made.

What happens at Watsonia could set a precedent for other stations along the Banyule line.

I’m pleased Banyule is pursuing improvements to the plans before a final decision is made.

We need better transport infrastructure — but it must be designed with the community, not imposed on it.

Civic Drive Roundabout, Melbourne’s most dangerous intersection.

Therefore Banyule City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council I will commit to advocating for a feasibility study and upgrades to improve safety and traffic flow.

With all the suffering residents have endured, they need permanent truck controls across the north-east arterial network.

As shared by Matt Wood for Hawdon:

“ The $26 billion North East Link is being built to transform north-east freight movement.

Yet there is currently no guarantee that the estimated 15,000 trucks a day will actually be removed from our local roads.

We cannot spend $26 billion and simply hope trucks choose to use it.

This is about making sure North East Link delivers the benefit our communities have been promised.

I will support an appropriate ban for safer roads, less noise, cleaner air and fewer through-trucks.

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Whittlesea’s young people deserve better access to support, connection and opportunities.

The need for a dedicated Youth Hub in the City of Whittlesea has been raised by young people, families and local service providers for years.

Young people are facing increasing challenges, including:

• Social isolation and loneliness
• Mental health pressures
• Disengagement from school
• Family violence and homelessness
• Limited access to youth services and recreational activities
• Poor transport options to existing services

A Youth Hub and spoke model could provide a central facility while bringing programs into schools, community centres and local communities through outreach.

The focus should be on prevention, early intervention and connection — giving young people somewhere safe to meet, participate, learn, seek support and build their future before problems escalate.

A purpose-built hub could provide flexible activity spaces, meeting and consulting rooms, outdoor areas, dedicated staff and better access to public transport.

This is about more than a building. It is about investing in young people, strengthening our communities and giving them the opportunity to succeed.

I support establishing a Youth Hub in Whittlesea and will advocate for practical, accessible services that respond to the needs of our young people.