It is my absolute pleasure to announce to readers of The Post that I will be running for the seat of Berowra in the 2025 federal election.
I never thought that life would take me down the political path (surely there must be better candidates), but after several community members expressed their trust and potential support it got me thinking. I was reminded of veteran Community Independent politician Cathy McGowan’s often repeated mantra, ‘if not me, who, and if not now, when’. With that thought playing on my mind, I applied to and have been endorsed by community democracy group Voices of Berowra as their Community Independent Candidate for the forthcoming election.
As Publisher of The Post, over the last four years I have deeply immersed myself in our community and have felt the sting that so many Berowra residents are feeling. Representation for Berowra has been lacklustre, our local concerns being minimised, ignored, and forgotten. Since the electorate’s inception in late 1969, the good people of Berowra have re-elected Liberal members into our seat time and again, leading to us being taken for granted as a ‘safe blue-ribbon seat’. To see real change, to have our voices matter, we must be brave enough to look for true representation across the issues that really concern us. That is why I believe that we need a dedicated community focused Independent in Canberra.
Growing up in Lane Cove and Naremburn, I moved to the Berowra electorate where I have been living for nearly 10 years. I have raised two stepsons, now in their thirties and living interstate with their own families. Here in Berowra, I raise my two teenage children, I run my small businesses in Thornleigh, and I enjoy our unique community, surrounded by our stunning bushland environment. I want to protect what our electorate values and ensure that we are not exploited to meet external party interests.
Having been both a homeowner and a renter, I fear for the upcoming generation and how they will afford to buy a home where they have grown up and lived their lives. There is a balancing act between protecting our natural environment and allowing growth and opportunity, and the only way to have the desires of Berowra residents heard is for an Independent to be their voice.
Through my time as Publisher of The Post, I have been deeply moved by the grassroots efforts of many not-for-profits and charities. I am an active supporter of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, and advocate for better domestic violence funding and changes to our justice system. I have personally accompanied victims to court, witnessing the challenges they face, which underscores the urgent need for action in our Berowra electorate.
Mental health advocacy is another passion of mine, and I have openly supported the incredible work of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney.
Our electorate’s aging population raises concerns about elderly residents’ access to support workers who can’t continue to afford to live where they work. Cost-of-living and lack of affordable housing is not just a widespread issue, it has the potential the ruin the fabric of our great community. Prices are extraordinary and unacceptable at the check-outs, and it is the responsibility of your representatives to fight to relieve the financial vice tightening around each of our families.
Beneath all of these critical issues is the looming threat posed by the ongoing lack of serious climate action by either of the major parties. My viewpoint has been reinforced by early returns from Voices of Berowra’s extensive community survey activities across recent months.
I accept the consensus from the vast majority of credible scientists that we require urgent market and non-market actions to limit our emissions and move quickly to a sustainable non-carbon future, in line with our international obligations and, importantly, common sense.
Moving forward, I will work to ensure a fair and balanced reporting of the forthcoming federal campaign in The Post. To that end, I have handed over my editorial responsibilities for the paper to a bright young woman, and for full transparency will highlight my position as a candidate in any articles that I might contribute.
Finally, I look forward to being of service to the people of Berowra, meeting and listening to even more of you out on the campaign trail ahead.