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FAQs
Answers to further FAQs are being developed.
If your question isn't listed below, please check back in a few days.
About
About Jess
Do you live in Deakin?
Not any more. I now live on the Menzies side of the electorate boundary road, and can wave to my Deakin neighbours across the street. After living in Deakin for over 15 years, we had to move when our long-term rental was sold. I raised my kids in Deakin, worked there, volunteered there, and built deep ties through local schools, community groups, and advocacy work. My life is still centred in Deakin—my friends, family, and work are all there, which is why I am standing for Deakin, not Menzies.
Are you a 'teal'?
If you're asking whether I'm a closet Liberal, closet Labor or a closet Green—no, I'm not. I have no intention of backing one party’s legislation over another by default. Unlike the established parties, I can support any proposal based on its merits. I have the freedom to insist that legislation be fact-based, properly costed, and developed through genuine consultation with the people it affects. I’m an Independent.
Who do you represent?
I represent the people of Deakin—not a party, not a faction. My loyalty is to this community. As an Independent, I’m free to put people before politics, and to champion policies that genuinely reflect our needs and values.
Please see my 'About' page for information on my background.
Funding
Are you backed by Climate 200?
Transparency in politics is important and this is a question I would like to see asked of all candidates in relation to all of their donations. We have received two modest donations from Climate 200 and their 41,000 supporters, in recognition of the values of the campaign. These funds have been utilised to establish campaign infrastructure and the purchasing of collateral. The majority of our campaign donors, however, are community members within the electorate. Climate 200 is not a party, it’s a not-for-profit organisation that manages donations from over 41,000 supporters who all want to see climate action, gender equality and integrity in politics. Donations go to my campaign, not to me personally and at this stage, we are an entirely volunteer run organisation. We maintain donation systems to enable compliance with relevant legal obligations.
Who funds you? List of donations
I believe in complete transparency in relation to donations and where they come from. This is why we list all donations on our website, except for donations where the donor has requested to remain anonymous or have only their first name published. You can find more information on the page linked. We maintain donation systems to enable compliance with relevant legal obligations.
Voting Independent
Isn't voting for an Independent a wasted vote?
Not at all. Independents can’t form government—but that’s the point. We hold government to account, push for integrity, and help shape better laws by working across the aisle. In a tight parliament, your Independent voice can be very powerful.
Why should I vote Independent?
We need more people in Parliament who aren’t bound by party lines. I will scrutinise every policy on its merits—back what’s good, challenge what isn’t. I believe in evidence, transparency, and consultation—and I’ll always put our community first.
What is the difference between you and the other parties?
The key difference between me and other candidates is independence. I’m not aligned with any political party, so I’m free to prioritise our community’s needs over party lines or ideology. While I may share some important goals with other candidates, my platform takes a broader, community-first approach that balances climate action with cost-of-living relief, housing solutions, and local economic resilience. Importantly, my policy positions are informed directly by what I’m hearing on the ground—these policy positions would be taken directly to the floor of the House of Representatives, not to a party-room meeting.
Policy
Are you pro-nuclear energy?
No—Nuclear energy is not currently legal in Australia. Any serious proposal would need to be evidence-based, fully costed, and shaped through genuine community consultation. It would also need to address critical issues like nuclear waste, water use, emissions from uranium mining, and long-term sustainability. On top of that, we’d need to increase skilled migration to build and operate this technology safely—because Australia currently doesn’t have the trained workforce required to construct or run a commercial nuclear power plant. Right now, both federal and state laws prohibit nuclear power—and until those laws change, with clear public support, nuclear remains political theatre, not policy.
What is your position on renewable energy and fossil fuels
I am committed to bold, practical climate leadership that reduces emissions, supports families and businesses to adapt, and positions Australia as a regional leader in a clean energy future. There should be no new coal and gas project approvals—we need to stop locking future generations into the problems of the past. I support a clear shift away from approving new coal and gas projects so we can accelerate Australia’s transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy—protecting nature, our health, and long-term jobs. Public funds should serve the public good. Instead of subsidising fossil fuels—we should be investing in the industries and infrastructure that will deliver long-term jobs, cleaner energy, and stronger communities. There is more on this on my policy platform page.
Where do you stand on the conflict in Israel and Palestine?
Australia must stand firmly for peace, the protection of civilians, and the upholding of international law. This means supporting a ceasefire, calling out human rights violations—wherever they occur and regardless of who commits them— and backing genuine diplomatic efforts that centre on the voices of those most affected. As a signatory to the UN Charter and Rome Statute, Australia has clear legal obligations. We must uphold international court rulings and co-operate with investigations into alleged war crimes. No leader should be treated as above the law—doing so sets a dangerous precedent here and abroad. People in our community are asking how Australian government officials could be considering welcoming leaders under investigation without transparency or public consultation? In a democracy, those answers matter. Too often the aggressors steal the stage from the peacekeepers. The community is calling for Australia to advocate for unimpeded humanitarian access, to consider targeted sanctions where warranted, and to support international efforts toward a sustainable ceasefire. I share in the community’s profound outrage, particularly over the continued harm to children—whose protection in conflict is a basic tenet of international humanitarian law.
Do you support LGBTQIA+
I support equal rights, legal protections, and access to healthcare for all—including LGBTQIA+ Australians. Gender-affirming care should be a decision between an individual and their medical team, not a political football. I support the government’s independent review into transgender healthcare to ensure policy reflects best practice, dignity, and individual well-being. Everyone deserves to live with safety, respect, and autonomy. That includes access to inclusive healthcare, protection from discrimination, and recognition of diverse families—including ensuring equitable access to Medicare rebates for surrogacy.
Should Australia always follow the United States on foreign policy?
Our relationship with the US should be one of mutual respect, as with any country—not automatic alignment. Australia must make independent decisions based on our values, interests, and responsibility to global peace.
Will you support the ban on Live Export?
I acknowledge the significant concerns surrounding the welfare of animals involved in live export. The legislated ban, scheduled for implementation on 1 May 2028, represents a pivotal step towards ensuring ethical treatment of animals and aligning our practices with community expectations. I am committed to upholding this ban and will advocate for policies that prioritize animal welfare. Ensuring the humane treatment of animals is not only a moral imperative but also essential for maintaining Australia's reputation in global markets.
What is your position on the war in Ukraine and Australia’s response?
Australia must support Ukraine’s sovereignty and the international rules-based order, while working to de-escalate global conflict. Our aid should focus on needs based humanitarian support, diplomacy, and international co-operation.
What is your position on mandatory sentencing?
While combating hate and ensuring the safety of all communities is paramount, implementing mandatory sentencing raises significant issues. Mandatory sentencing removes judicial discretion, preventing judges from considering the unique circumstances of each case. This rigidity can lead to unjust outcomes, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups and potentially undermining public confidence in our legal system. It's also concerning that these legislative changes were introduced swiftly, with limited consultation. Effective policy-making, especially on complex issues like hate crimes, requires thorough deliberation and input from diverse community stakeholders to ensure balanced and just outcomes.
What are your thoughts on international trade?
Trade should support fair jobs, strong environmental standards, and sovereign decision-making. We need to ensure deals serve the public interest—not just multi-national corporations. I’m also hearing from community that people want a focus on local manufacturing and are expressing concerns at the reduction of some of our export industries
Should pathology be bulk-billed?
Like you, I believe affordable, accessible healthcare is non-negotiable—and that includes keeping pathology bulk billed. Cutting $356 million from essential tests like Vitamin B12 and urine screening is not just bad policy, it's a false economy. These tests are essential for early diagnosis, prevention, and chronic disease management—and disproportionately support the health of women and vulnerable communities. There is little point investing in bulk billed GPs if patients can’t afford the pathology tests that GPs rely on to make accurate diagnoses. These cuts risk shifting costs onto patients, leading to delays in care, worse health outcomes, and ultimately higher costs to the system. Early detection and prevention are essential and necessary of investment.