Can you describe a little bit about yourself, including your journey that has led to you standing for the electorate of Lalor in 2025.
My name is Mira D'Silva. I’m a proud Indian-Australian who has called the west of Melbourne home for over 20 years. I migrated to Australia in 2004, and since then, I’ve built a life rooted in hard work, community, and service.
Professionally, I’m an entrepreneur, human resources professional and business strategist. My husband and I founded a company that employs Australians from diverse backgrounds.
I’ve dedicated myself to mentoring migrant professionals, helping them find meaningful careers and purpose in Australia.
But what’s driven me to stand for the Electorate of Lalor in 2025 is a deep desire to give back to the community that’s given me so much. I’ve seen first-hand how policies affect every day Australians. Families are juggling cost of living, small businesses are struggling to recover, and migrants are working hard for a fair go. I’m here to be a strong voice for them.
I want to bring practical experience, cultural understanding, and a solutions-focused mindset to Parliament. I want to represent Lalor with integrity, action, and heart.
What are the top 3 local priorities for you at this Federal Election?
In the Lalor electorate, the most urgent issue I hear from locals is Labor’s cost of living crisis. Families are doing it tough. From soaring gas and grocery prices to mounting power bills, the pressure is relentless. The dream of home ownership is slipping further out of reach for first-time buyers.
Safety is another major concern. Incidents like car thefts, home break-ins and assaults are no longer isolated, they’re becoming far too common, and unsettling that sense of security we all value. And then there’s housing. We’re facing a severe affordability crisis, with many feeling completely locked out of the market.
These aren’t just inconveniences, they’re real, everyday struggles impacting people’s quality of life.
With Wyndham representing one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country, what will you do to ensure federal investment keeps up with this population growth?
A Dutton Coalition Government will provide a tax deduction to allow first-home buyers who purchase a new property as their principal place of residence to deduct a capped amount of the interest payments on their mortgage against their assessable personal income for a five-year period.
The First Home Buyer Mortgage Deductibility will support first home buyers, and boost the number of new homes built across the country. The tax deduction will only apply to new home builds, turbocharging the building sector and getting affordable homes built faster.
As an example, a first home buyer with a taxable income of $120,000 with a $650,000 mortgage at 6.1% will receive a benefit of around $12,000 a year.
Our new First Home Buyer Mortgage Deductibility is part of the Coalition’s comprehensive plan to address Labor’s housing supply crisis by delivering $5 billion through the Housing Infrastructure Programme to fund essential infrastructure like water, sewerage and power to swiftly unlock up to 500,000 new homes.
I will work to prioritise Wyndham for the $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Programme, ensuring that essential infrastructure - such as water, power, and sewerage - supports new housing developments.
I will also campaign to ensure Wyndham is included in the Liberal Party’s $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund. This funding will target key road upgrades, improve arterial roads, construct new overpasses, and enhance critical intersections, to ease traffic and expand public transport services.
What is the most important transportation project that our community needs? Why do you think it should be prioritised?
The most important transportation project for our community is the Werribee River Bridge and Integrated Road Network. This initiative involves building a new bridge to connect Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes directly to Tarneit, alongside upgrades to surrounding roads.
It’s designed to tackle the growing transportation challenges in our region, offering a practical solution to improve how we move and live. This project is essential for four key reasons:
It will ease heavy traffic on central Werribee’s congested roads, such as Heaths Road and Ballan Road, by providing a new route.
It will improve safety with dedicated paths for pedestrians and cyclists, and reduce risks at hazardous intersections.
It will support the area’s rapid expansion, keeping infrastructure in step with the surge of new homes in places like Manor Lakes and Tarneit.
And it will meet a strong community need for better east-west links, cutting down the daily delays that frustrate residents.
Last month, the Werribee Open Range Zoo opened the 21-hectare Elephant Trail, a world-class habitat for nine Asian elephants. There are so many exciting sites in the West for visitors including the Werribee Zoo, Cheetham Wetlands, Werribee Park Mansion, the K-Road cliffs and many exciting food and drink opportunities. What’s your suggestion to those who may be visiting for a day?
Start your morning at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, and don’t miss the brand-new Elephant Trail — a stunning 21-hectare habitat where you can see nine majestic Asian elephants up close in a world-class conservation setting.
From there, take a short drive to explore the historic Werribee Park Mansion and stroll through the beautiful Victoria State Rose Garden. It’s a perfect spot for photos, picnics, and soaking in the region’s heritage.
Next, head to the K Road Cliffs for sweeping views over the Werribee River, a hidden gem that’s peaceful and breathtaking. If you’re a nature lover, stop by the Cheetham Wetlands for birdwatching and a peaceful walk through native landscapes.
Wrap up your day by exploring one of our amazing local eateries. Whether it’s vibrant Indian street food, modern Australian dining, or an award-winning winery or distillery, Wyndham’s food scene is a true delight.