There isn't an official date yet for the federal election, but there's no doubt the campaigning has already begun...
Full article here: https://www.pisra.com.au/news/leonard-its-time-for-change
There isn't an official date yet for the federal election, but there's no doubt the campaigning has already begun. Independent Deb Leonard is back for another attempt to take the seat of Monash.
In 2022, in what can be described as a whirlwind campaign of three months, Deb managed to secure 10 per cent of the vote.
This time around, it's a different ball game. The political landscape has changed, with a handful of successful independents gaining a high profile in Federal Parliament.
With many political experts predicting a close race and the real possibility of minority government, the focus on independent candidates is greater than ever.
The pre-selection process by Voices for Monash started back in May 2024, with Deb Leonard confirmed as candidate in August.
This election, the difference is not just the longer lead time.
"Last time we had a great group of very amazing, passionate volunteers, but none of us had any real campaign experience," said Deb. "So we were putting the plane together as we were flying it.
"And I feel like this time, we've built the plane. We know the destination. We know how to get there. We just need to fly the plane there."
In concrete terms, there's also "a volunteer base which is growing by the day", and a different role for them.
The focus is on "empowering volunteers to take the lead and take initiative", she said.
"All our volunteers sign up to our campaign values, then they are empowered to support the campaign however they wish. We've got people organising door knocking sessions, flyer stalls, kitchen teas.
"The last campaign was very central around me, because we didn't have these systems or structures in place. This time its empowering the community to act. The benefit of having volunteers out independently campaigning means we reach all different parts of the electorate and all different demographics.
"And this whole community independent movement is all about listening to the community and making sure your policies are aligned with community values."
The longer lead time, coupled with more funding, means a greater reach across the electorate, something that was a challenge last time.
As well as local donations, which she says have increased "significantly" since the last election, Deb has also received money from Climate 200 ($214,340), Regional Voices Fund ($30,000) and Keep them Honest ($16,900) among others, to help with the campaign. A list of her campaign donations is available on her website.
This time around, she believes more people are willing to consider an independent candidate, "because they've seen the great work that the independents elected last time are doing in public and in parliament".
"They've seen how those independents are bringing common sense solutions to parliament and working collaboratively and improving legislation and consulting with their constituents about policy.
People are looking at that going, well, we can have that too."
Disillusioned
Deb believes Monash has been ignored for decades by both major parties - "I really don't see much happening around the place since the change of government" - and it's time for a change.
"More and more people are just disillusioned with both major parties," she said.
"I think we're still being ignored. We're still missing out on funding for things like roads and recreational facilities."
She said the ALP promise of free TAFE means nothing, if locally the TAFE is sitting empty and they're not even running in-person courses.
Deb believes Monash needs stronger representation to get the services the community need, including TAFE, good mental health services and infrastructure upgrades.
Her focus is very much on the grassroots level and the concerns of local people.
This time around people are very concerned about the cost of living.
"The cost of groceries is going up, bills are going up, power bills are going up, insurance, rents, mortgages are going up. Housing and cost of living were an issue at the last election, but even more so now."
Difficulties with the NDIS has been raised by voters and power outages are another voter concern.
"We're seeing more and more power outages, a lot of the time due to extreme storms, which I think you can link back to climate change.
"There's not much being done to make sure that we're resilient moving forward. We're going to have more extreme storms and power outages.
"And every time there's a power outage, businesses lose money."
The Coalition's promise to build a nuclear power plant in the electorate has received a mixed reaction, she said, with people concerned the proposal has been pushed on them without consultation or any details.
"We need clean, affordable, reliable power now and we can achieve that with solar and batteries.
"So that's where my focus is, not the prospect of a nuclear power plant in 20-years' time."
Hotspots
Local erosion hotspots have become a key election focus.
"There's an issue of 'we need to act now to protect these beaches', but we also need to look at the wider cause," she said. "We can't keep sticking band aids on things."
Science based climate action, environmental protection, cost of living, housing and integrity are key parts of her platform for this election.
"If you address the integrity issue, then we might fix a whole lot of other problems as well. The issue of government contracts being unfairly awarded, pork barrelling, and government grants going where they think it will win votes rather than where it is actually needed."
On the ground locally, she's keen to see funding for aquatic facilities, bike and pump tracks and more facilities for young people.
She is also keen to talk to as many local residents as possible. A list of upcoming events are on her website, and Deb also welcomes offers by residents to catch up. You can contact her via her website.
While there will be a "big campaign event closer to the election", at the moment the team is focused on smaller events, working on the ground.
"I'm going to put my best case forward and hopefully let everyone know what I represent ... a better, stronger, more cohesive, community-focused way of doing politics.
"It's a marginal seat, but we still haven't seen the funding we should. That's what I'm frustrated about. We didn't get it under the Liberals. We didn't get it under Labor.
"I think having a community independent is the only way we're going to get some action.
"We can't keep voting the same way and expect a different outcome."