Can you describe a little bit about yourself, including your journey that has led to you standing for the electorate of Lalor in 2025.
Born and raised in Werribee, I have spent my adult life fighting for our community.
Before being elected to the Federal Parliament in 2013, I was a teacher and principal, helping kids in Melbourne’s west get a better education for 27 years.
In the late 1990s, I was part of the community’s campaign against the Liberals’ and Jeff Kennett’s plan for a toxic dump in Werribee. The community always comes first for me, which is why I campaigned alongside locals against plans for a youth detention centre in Werribee South and the dumping of toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project in Wyndham.
I am committed to our region and to the Australian Labor Party’s value of fairness. I've spent my professional and personal life working to improve outcomes for local young people, because I believe young people in Melbourne’s west can be whatever they aspire to be. I’ve seen firsthand the power that a quality education has to change and enrich lives.
In Parliament, I’ve been dedicated to ensuring that population growth areas like Wyndham get the support, funding, and opportunities they need to build successful, inclusive, and harmonious communities.
What are the top 3 local priorities for you at this Federal Election?
- More cost of living relief
- A stronger Medicare
- Better Roads for Wyndham
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?
Only Federal Labor governments deliver the infrastructure our city needs. It was Anthony Albanese, as Infrastructure Minister, who delivered the Regional Rail Link.
In the decade the Liberals were in office, Wyndham received no federally funded major infrastructure projects.
In our first three years, we've delivered:
- $57 million to build the Ison Road Overpass
- Increased Roads to Recovery funding to Wyndham Council to over $13 million — $5.7 million more than the Liberals would have delivered
- $125 million to fix the Princes Freeway–Werribee Main Road interchange
- $41 million for the Ballan-Greens-McGrath Road intersection
- Upgrades to local sporting infrastructure like Galvin Park and the Werribee Outdoor Pool
And if re-elected, we will build Wyndham's missing road link, with $85 million to connect Tarneit and Wyndham Vale with a new bridge over the Werribee River. This will connect two of our growing suburbs and ease congestion in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing. We will also deliver $5 million to Wyndham Council to redevelop the Soldiers’ Reserve Pavilion.
What is the most important transportation project that our community needs? Why do you think it should be prioritised?
The Wyndham Ring Road.
Federal Labor has contributed over $260 million to this project, which includes fixing the Princes Freeway and Werribee Main Road interchange, the Ison Road Overpass, and a new bridge connecting Wyndham Vale and Tarneit. This will get people home sooner and safer, take cars off congested roads in Werribee and Hoppers, and provide a quicker commute between Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.
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?
Personally, the K Road Cliffs are a favourite of mine. I often start my day with a walk along the beautiful Werribee River and encourage everyone else locally to do so.
For families, Werribee Zoo is an incredible asset — and with kids going free on weekends, school holidays, and Victorian public holidays, it’s a real bonus for our community, especially with so many young families calling Wyndham h