My priorities for Ashwood

As an independent, I answer to the people of Ashwood, not a party. Here’s what I’ll fight for, and how I’ll work.

How I'll work

Facts and expert advice first
Listen to the community, and keep listening
No party politics, lobbyists or backroom deals
Inclusive, honest, accountable and transparent

Why your vote counts

The next parliament could be close, with a handful of MPs holding the balance of power. As an independent, I’ll have more leverage to win local funding and real change than a backbench MP bound by party discipline.

Whoever forms government, Ashwood gets a strong voice.

Government accountability

Too much taxpayer money goes on pork barrelling and vested interests. My first priority is a truly independent anti-corruption body.

If elected, I will:

Demand lower IBAC thresholds for investigations and public hearings, and make destroying or hiding evidence from IBAC a criminal offence.
Demand IBAC’s funding is free from government interference, with a clear, broad definition of corruption.
Push for a Big Build Royal Commission with broad terms of reference and an independent chair.
Push for transparent procurement and fewer closed tenders.
Support better compliance with Freedom of Information requests.
Demand a real-time public register of MPs’ links to lobbyists and advisers.

Climate action

Climate change is real, human-caused and happening now. We need practical solutions today, based on science, not lobbyists.

If elected, I will:

Support the phase out of coal energy generation, as soon as is feasibly possible. Use existing gas as a short-term bridging resource as we complete our rapid transition to renewables. Given the abundance of existing national gas reserves, and our high export volumes, oppose further fossil fuel exploration. Advocate for any future gas needs to be sourced only from existing low-priced exports, without the need to expand existing gas import infrastructure.
Maintain and develop additional incentive programs to help households including renters get lower cost access to solar, batteries, insulation, double-glazing, heat pumps, and other energy efficiency technologies to cut energy bills. Support efforts for households to replace gas heaters, gas stoves and gas hot water systems with more efficient electric units.
Working with AEMO and our best scientific and engineering advisers, develop a strategy to achieve Victoria’s aims of net zero as soon as possible. Prioritise the increased roll out of renewable energy generation facilities and battery farms to support them. This will be supported by closer community consultation with affected residents and communities throughout regional Victoria.
Oppose nuclear power: it’s too slow, too costly and won’t deliver cheap energy.
Work with local councils and the private sector to expand the EV charging network to meet growing consumer demand.
Strengthen our disaster preparation and resilience plans for households, communities and businesses, by implementing the recommendations from the National Climate Risk Assessment.

Cost of living

Global pressures mean costs won’t simply fall. We need fair, sustainable relief that protects those most at risk.

If elected, I will:

Cut waste and inefficiency in government spending that can drive inflation.
Review corporate welfare that can’t be justified right now.
Make government tenders transparent, and stop Victorians paying for private-sector cost overruns.
Better target government support so it reaches the people who need it most.
Speed up the shift to cheaper renewables to lower energy costs, and increase the programs to allow both home owners and renters to access subsidised energy efficiency technologies.
Advocate for the federal government to increase royalties for all mining exports to ensure Australians earn their fair share from their own resources.

Community safety

Everyone in Ashwood should be able to live, work and play without fear.

If elected, I will:

Improve coordination between police and early intervention services, with a focus on prevention.
Get faster, stronger support to victims of domestic violence.
Support a more visible local police presence to reduce theft and burglary.
Work with police and community leaders on local solutions to local problems.

Treaty and an inclusive community

Victoria’s Treaty took years to build and is backed by thousands of First Nations people and our wider community. It should be defended, not torn up.

If elected, I will:

Support Victoria’s Treaty.
Reject the politics of division and hate.
Work constructively with every part of our diverse community.

Transport

Ashwood’s roads and public transport were built for a much smaller population. It’s time to make them work better.

If elected, I will:

Push for more frequent and consistent trains on the Glen Waverley and Alamein lines.
Support a proper analysis of consumer rail subsidies, weighing more patronage against the cost to the budget.
Improve station car park access and capacity where feasible.
Promote development of better rail freight infrastructure to greater incentivise freight operators to increase their use of rail.
Push for a state and national review of road funding as we move to electric vehicles, so all vehicle types are treated fairly. Facilitate improvements to the electric vehicle charging network.
Advocate for better lighting on the Gardiner’s Creek and Scotchman’s Creek bike paths.

Green spaces and biodiversity

Victoria’s native forests and Ashwood’s green spaces are vital for our health, our way of life and local wildlife. They must be protected.

If elected, I will:

Enforce the prohibition on logging in native old growth forests on crown land. Support controls on activities in old growth forests that are in private hands, both in terms of the use and the management of the forests.
Advocate for removing invasive plants and animals.
Work with experts to develop strategies on how to best maintain and protect our old growth forests from hazards such as bushfires and the growing impacts of climate change.
Support councils to protect our tree canopy and biodiversity in public green spaces.
Push for more tree planting in public areas to reduce urban heat.

Education and skills

Our students need to be ready for a fast-changing economy, with more focus on STEM and the trades.

If elected, I will:

Rebalance secondary education to include trade pathways and more attractive apprenticeships.
Train and retain more STEM teachers in our high schools.
Review how AI tools can build critical thinking and innovation while protecting academic integrity.
Support more research funding for renewable and storage technology.
Support greater student involvement in the governance of our higher education institutions. It is their future and they should have a say.

Preventive health

Victorians deserve an accessible, affordable health system that focuses on prevention and gets people the right care in the right place.

If elected, I will:

Prioritise early intervention in mental health and child welfare.
Work with health experts and community representatives on better health solutions.

Affordable housing

Land and building costs keep rising, so we need smarter ways to put a roof over everyone’s head.

If elected, I will:

Support smarter, safer community housing to replace ageing facilities in Ashwood and Ashburton.
Review property taxes and stamp duty to make them more stable and transparent.
Work with councils to balance higher-density living against over-development.
Explore support for first home buyers, such as shared equity schemes.

Have your say

Challenges change, and my priorities will keep up with what matters to Ashwood. I want you to be part of that.

A community voice in the upper house too

I’m standing for Ashwood in the Legislative Assembly (lower house). The Legislative Council (upper house) is where laws are amended, delayed or stopped, so your vote there makes a real difference too.

Ashwood is part of the Southern Metropolitan Region, where Melissa Lowe is standing as a community independent. For the first time, you can vote above the line for someone who will help keep government in check and put people before parties.

Visit Melissa’s website and consider voting 1 for Melissa and her team on election day.