Can you describe a little bit about yourself, including your journey that has led to you standing for the electorate of Lalor in 2025.
I’m Owen, I’m a university student studying maths and statistics at Melbourne University and a campaigner in the West. I’m standing for Lalor because you and the West have been taken for granted.
I’ve grown up in a community with good access to healthcare, schools and public transport and there’s no reason that we can’t have that in the West too. Both the major parties take millions of dollars in donations from big corporations and are putting their corporate mates before you. The Greens don’t and I’m committed to fighting for you.
What are the top 3 local priorities for you at this Federal Election?
My top priorities are the issues I’ve been hearing about most from you and your community:
[1] Tackle the cost of living. By capping rent increases, making supermarket price gouging illegal and regulating the banks to lower mortgages.
[2] Deliver transport infrastructure that works. By making public transport cheaper and more frequent, we can take traffic off local Wyndham roads.
[3] Address the root causes of crime. Once people in your community are sent to jail, they are more likely to be criminalised again. By tackling the cost of living and improving public transport (which can be the only way, particularly for young people, to get around), we can stop crime before it begins.
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?
Healthcare, education and transport services have been underfunded in Wyndham’s growing community by Labor and Liberal governments alike. That’s why the Greens want to increase funding for healthcare and put mental and dental into Medicare, fully fund our public schools and make them genuinely free, and deliver cheaper and more frequent public transport to take traffic off our roads. As your member of parliament, I would put you and your community at the negotiating table with a minority government and make services in your neighbourhood a priority.
What is the most important transportation project that our community needs? Why do you think it should be prioritised?
My top transport priority would be reforming the bus network. Having buses that are cheap, frequent and get people where they need to go would take traffic off Wyndham roads and be cleaner for the environment. The Labor party will be watching your seat closely and by voting 1 Greens, you can send the message that you want more for your community, not less.
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?
I find being in nature really relaxing and fulfilling. So, going for a walk along the Werribee River or taking a look at the Cheetham Wetlands are great ways to be immersed in local wildlife.