I stand for fairness, compassion for those in need, and integrity in politics. I am committed to improving local services and infrastructure, supporting our regional economy, and protecting the natural environment that makes the Mid North Coast so special.
The policies and positions I will advocate for in parliament are shaped by you — the people I'm seeking to represent.
Below, you’ll find my position on a range of issues people have raised with me so far. If you have questions, thoughts or other ideas, I would love to hear from you.
Delivering the services and infrastructure we need
Our regional health services are under intense pressure. I will work with the Primary Health Networks, the NDIS and the Aged Care Sector to deliver more and better services to our communities.
Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, including GPs, hospitals, aged care, disability support, and mental health services.
After decades of working in healthcare, I’ve watched successive governments stretch our healthcare system to breaking point. They have been unwilling to fund the services we need, and our local representatives have failed to demand better for our region.
I’m committed to securing greater funding for regional health care, improving patient outcomes, and making sure everyone has access to quality care close to home. I know the gaps in our system, and I’m determined to fix them.
Unreliable phone networks and internet access hold us back. I’m committed to upgrading our infrastructure to keep us safe and connected.
Everyone deserves to stay connected, no matter where they live. It’s critical to building a vibrant local economy, staying connected during an emergency, and to ensure our kids and grandkids can get their homework done.
Neglect from successive governments has left our region with poor mobile reception and snail-pace internet - even along the Pacific Highway or in the centre of town.
We only need to look to Victoria to see what a difference independents can make in this area - through years of coordinated advocacy, Indi independent Helen Haines has helped secure over 50 new phone towers and eliminate hundreds of mobile blackspots.
I will fight to fix the mobile blackspots and get us faster access, so that no one is left behind, whether in an emergency or when trying to run a small business.
Older people in our community deserve better. I’ll push for increased funding, more staff, and stronger oversight to ensure our aged care system delivers the respect, care, and dignity they deserve.
We need to value the people who built our communities and ensure they’re supported in their later years.
Aged care in our region is in crisis — our seniors aren’t getting the support they need, with overstretched services, underfunded programs, and underpaid workers struggling to keep up. The pressure on the system will only continue to get worse.
It’s unacceptable that so many seniors are left without proper care, often waiting months for essential services or facing substandard conditions. We need urgent action to improve aged care funding, adequately address the skills shortage in the industry, and ensure that every older Australian receives the dignity, care, and respect they deserve.
Our seniors need to know they’ll be cared for properly as they age, with access to the services and support they need to live with dignity.
The NDIS is failing too many in our community. I’ll fight to reform the system, ensuring people with disabilities receive timely support, better services, and the respect they deserve.
People with disabilities deserve timely support, respect, and the opportunity to participate fully in our community.
The NDIS is an essential service for so many, but its falling short — delays, bureaucracy, and under-funding are leaving those with disabilities without the basic support they need to get out of the house, go to school, and connect with their community.
We need to fix the NDIS, streamline access to care, and ensure that rural and regional areas have the resources they need to support people with disabilities.
I’ll fight for affordable and stable housing. There are no easy answers to any of this, but what we’re doing now is really broken.
Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home.
But right now, families, retirees, and even those with full-time jobs are unable to find a home. It's unacceptable that people are living in tents because they can't afford rent.
Successive governments on both sides have failed to build a housing system that meets the needs of our community - or regional Australia in general.
We need more builders, more incentives for people to build cheaper housing, and for government to step up and once again build affordable and social housing.
As your representative, I’ll fight for solutions that work for rural and regional areas, not just cities.
Renewable energy means lower bills and more jobs. I’ll support investment in solar, wind, and electrification to power our future.
We’ve got abundant natural energy all around us, and it can be available to everyone cheaply and easily. We need to harness this swiftly and create new, clean, safe industry in our region.
Giant energy companies are ripping us off - ramping up power bills and refusing to pay people a fair price for rooftop solar.
Meanwhile, our ageing coal plants are becoming less and less reliable, while governments continue to hand out millions in public subsidies.
Both sides of politics take donations from these giant companies, and are unwilling to take them on.
I will fight to end public subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, and instead secure investment in local energy solutions like solar farms and community batteries.
This will bring down power bills for families and businesses, leave us less reliant on giant energy companies, and create energy security in times of natural disasters.
Local councils deserve the funding and respect needed to effectively serve our communities without political interference.
Councils play a vital role in providing essential services like road maintenance, waste management, and community infrastructure, but they’ve been left behind by successive governments. For over 30 years, federal funding for local councils has been steadily eroded, forcing councils to rely on complex grant systems or unpopular rate hikes.
This system benefits party politicians, not communities. Grants are often used to fund one-off projects in marginal seats rather than meeting councils’ long-term priorities. Smaller regional councils, with fewer resources to compete for grants, are left at an even greater disadvantage.
I will fight for an increase in Federal Assistance Grants from 0.5% to 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue to give councils the financial stability they need to plan and invest in our future. This would reduce reliance on Special Rate Levies, ease cost-of-living pressures on ratepayers, and empower councils to deliver the infrastructure and services our communities need.
In parliament, I’ll work tirelessly to restore trust in government by championing practical, fair solutions for local councils — because strong, empowered councils mean stronger communities.
Find my media release on increasing Commonwealth funding for councils here.
Instead of handouts to big corporations, I support investment in our community. In the long term, these investments — such as childcare and public school funding — not only pay for themselves, but also drive economic growth, new jobs and strong regional economies, while increasing GDP.
We need bold, practical action on climate change to safeguard our community and future generations. I’ll fight for investment in renewables and a just transition to clean energy that benefits everyday people, not multinational corporations.
Climate action is an environmental necessity, but also a chance to build a stronger, more secure future for our region.
We are already feeling the effects of climate change on the Mid North Coast — from devastating bushfires to prolonged droughts and floods. These events damage homes, livelihoods, and our environment, and we can’t keep accepting the same tired excuses for inaction from party politicians.
I will fight to end subsidies for fossil fuel companies and push for targeted investment in renewable energy projects, as well as household and community solar and battery storage, that will provide direct benefits to our region. These projects will not only cut emissions but also provide energy security during natural disasters, reduce power costs, and create long-term local jobs.
With urgent action and the right leadership, we can make our community a leader in renewable energy, and ensure a safer, more prosperous future for our kids and grandkids.
The time for talk is over, and the time for action is now.
Our community deserves clean air, thriving natural ecosystems, and a safe climate for future generations.
Successive governments have prioritised corporate profits over environmental stewardship, directing millions in public subsidies to destructive practices like native forest logging and coal seam gas mining.
We must redirect these subsidies towards ecological restoration, bushfire preparedness, community power, and sustainable regional industries. This will allow us to protect our forests, coastlines, and wildlife, and build a sustainable future.
It's clear that what is happening to our remaining forests cannot continue. Native forest logging is officially threatening over 50 endangered and vulnerable species in New South Wales, including once common species like the greater glider and koala.
It's also hugely uneconomical, with Forestry Corp still running at a taxpayer funded loss, despite $246.9 million in taxpayer subsidies.
What frustrates me the most about this issue is that rather than recognising the huge opportunity to protect nature and provide a stronger regional economy, Forestry Corporation has been allowed to continue to destroy the soon to be gazetted Great Koala National Park.
While our local representatives pretend the park isn't coming, I will be calling for a transition package that redirects the millions in public subsidies spent destroying our native forests into plantation forestry, bushfire preparedness, forest restoration and support for jobs, innovation and future industry in our region.
We need to protect our forests and stand with our workers to ensure a prosperous, resilient and healthy future.
Every family has the right to safety and support, but our current system is failing that basic need.
Family violence is a crisis that cannot be ignored. Too many women and children in our region live in fear, without adequate support services.
I’ve long advocated for better protections for survivors of domestic violence, and I’ll push for more funding for support, legal aid, and prevention programs.
We need a system that acts swiftly and compassionately to protect those at risk and hold abusers accountable.
Find my media release on Liberty's Coastal Walk Against Domestic Violence here.
Politicians should serve people, not parties and their major donors.
People are fed up with politicians who serve parties and big corporations instead of their communities. I’m running as an Independent because I believe in accountability and integrity — listening to people, not donors. I’ll fight to restore trust in politics by supporting stronger anti-corruption measures and making sure our government serves us, not vested interests like banks, supermarkets and energy companies.
I’ll bring accountability and transparency to ensure government works for you, instead of for parties and their donor mates.
First Nations communities need respect and action. I’ll work with Elders and communities to address housing, healthcare, and climate resilience.
We believe respect, partnership, and listening to First Nations voices are essential. I’ve learned a lot from the local First Nations communities, and it's clear that we need to listen and act.
From housing to healthcare, First Nations people in our region face unique challenges that require real partnership and respect. I’ll work closely with local Elders and communities to support Indigenous-led solutions, particularly around cultural preservation, climate resilience, education, business opportunities and community health.
Together, we can create policies that honour their deep connection to the land and future generations.
