Meet the Indi candidates

As a strong independent MP, I work with local people and local organisations to set our priorities right here in Indi. I don't take my instructions from major party bosses.

With a track record working across party lines and with both the Coalition and Labor in government, I develop solutions in consultation with our community and with the experts. It’s how we do politics differently in Indi and what sets us apart from the major parties.

Being independent works for Indi. Whether that’s fighting for stranded communities during the pandemic, relief after bushfires, shaping national housing solutions, or securing a National Anti-Corruption Commission, I've had local impact and national influence.

My decision-making is based on common sense, accountability, transparency and fighting for a fair go for Indi and regional Australia.

My solutions to the housing crisis are focused on delivering funding for water, sewerage, drainage and power connections to unlock new housing — a policy that has been adopted by both major parties and shows my influence on the national agenda.

Regional Australians get sicker and die sooner, and I am fighting for a dedicated Building Rural Hospital Fund to give regional health services access to funding to improve our local hospitals, provide mental health, keep care close to home and provide more regional training opportunities for healthcare workers. I am fighting for better aged care home support services.

Energy prices are a key issue this election, and I’ve already fought for and secured a $2.3 billion government commitment so that home batteries are cheaper to help lower household energy bills. I’m also committed to work for a $30,000 tax write-off for small businesses and primary producers to bring down their energy costs.

I will continue to hold the government to account, so that taxpayer spending stacks up, we stamp out corruption and ensure public money is spent for public good, not political self-interest.

There’s no big party telling me how to vote or not to fight for something because it’s not on their list. I am laser focused on working for Indi and a fair deal for regional Australia.

I’ll keep working for the infrastructure we need to unlock housing and improve health services, access to childcare, better telecommunications, roads and combating the cost-of-living. I’ll keep holding the major parties accountable. I’m working with you and for you, and I’ll keep fighting for Indi.

The Greens — Alysia Regan

The Greens are working for solutions to genuinely solve the climate and environment crisis, the housing crisis and the cost-of-living crisis, not just tinker around the edges.

People are working harder than ever, paying too much for the basics, while one in three big corporations pays no tax.

We want to make them pay their fair share. Our approach would raise over $514 billion, and we’d use it to build a better life for all of us; to reduce prices and provide world-class public services for free.

We want to prioritise our health services, bring dental and mental health into Medicare and make sure everyone can see the GP for free.

We’re working to bring down the cost of groceries, to stop unlimited rent increases, deliver low-rate mortgages, and phase out the billions in government tax handouts to property investors with more than one property, to give renters and first-home buyers a chance.

We’re working to wipe all student debt and make education genuinely free for all, from childcare through to TAFE and university — like it used to be.

We’re fighting for better rights and higher pay for working people. We’d restore the billions Labor has cut from the NDIS and lift income support to make sure no-one is living below the poverty line.

We’re working to stop more coal and gas projects and bring down prices with a massive expansion of publicly owned renewable energy, to take strong action to protect our environment, banning native forest logging and saving our wildlife from extinction.

And importantly, we’re fighting for Truth, Treaty and Justice in allyship with First Nations people, for a country free from discrimination.

We are deeply committed to peace and global justice, will continue to call out the government’s complicity in genocide, for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation in Gaza, and freedom for Palestine.

We know these solutions would make life better for millions of people. With more Greens in parliament, we will keep Dutton out, and push Labor to act on the climate and housing crisis. If you want change, vote for it. This time, vote 1 Greens.

Liberal Party — James Trenery

I’m running for parliament because I believe it’s time for change, to get Australia back on track.

My wife, Amanda, and I own and operate a small business, run a farm at Talgarno, and like so many people across the north-east, pay a mortgage and support our family.

Just like you, we’re feeling the cost-of-living pinch. Everything is so much more expensive now than it was three years ago when Albanese and Labor came to government. What’s more, Helen Haines has done nothing locally to support us — that’s why I believe it’s time for change.

Only the Liberals will provide real cost-of-living relief — now. We will reduce petrol tax by 25 cents per litre, saving a family $1500 a year. We’ll give you up to $1200 tax back, to support you paying those rising bills and grocery costs.

It’s all part of our Liberal Plan to get cost of living under control, create cheaper energy, build affordable homes, create safer communities and deliver quality health care.

The Liberals have a plan. Helen Haines has no plan to support cost-of-living pressures or to support us.

While Helen Haines was campaigning for the Voice Referendum, that cost the country $500 million, interest rates went up 12 times — costing a family with an average size mortgage $50,000 more — money they will never get back. But at the same time, 66.9 per cent of our community voted ‘no’ in the referendum.

Under Helen Haines, only one new mobile phone tower was funded in Indi over the past three years. While 70 were funded in the nine years prior (since the funding stream began and when the Liberals were in government).

Zero Medicare urgent care clinics have been built in Indi under Helen Haines. Zero homes built, and zero dollars spent from Helen Haines $2 billion unfunded housing fund announced in 2023.

Helen Haines voted with the Greens against minimum mandatory sentences for those convicted of terrorism offences. Since 2022, Helen Haines has voted in parliament 76 per cent of the time with the Greens (source: Parliamentary Library analysis of official Hansard voting records).

Its absolutely clear right now that Helen Haines is not representing us, and she’s not getting results for us.

When you cast your vote this election, you have an opportunity to end this independent safe-seat syndrome.

It’s time for change in Indi to get Australia back on track.