Julia Zemiro | The Independents Podcast

Engineer Claire Ferres Miles combines deep local roots as a 30-year resident with significant leadership experience running large organisations, including Sustainability Victoria, and her own small business.Casey stretches from the suburban fringe through the Dandenong Ranges to the Yarra Valley, facing increasing pressures from natural disasters, infrastructure gaps, and cost of living challenges. Claire's campaign emphasises the need for stronger emergency services support, with the local CFA and SES volunteers stretched thin by intensifying storms, floods and bushfires. She's particularly focused on securing emergency healthcare access for the Yarra Valley and addressing the region's childcare shortages.https://www.claireferresmiles.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Milthorpe has worked as a teacher, coach, small business owner and advocate. She is well known in her regional community for her support for students with learning difficulties, and her successful advocacy for reforms to how the NSW justice system treats child victims.Michelle is challenging Liberal Party Deputy Leader Sussan Ley, who has held the seat for 23 years, with a campaign that focuses on regional representation, cost of living, healthcare access, and infrastructure investment in an electorate that serves as Australia's food bowl.https://michellemilthorpe.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Byron is a public policy specialist with over a decades’ experience working in international and domestic climate policy, climate aid, development finance, and federal politics. He represented Australia in the UNFCCC negotiations on the Paris Agreement and Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol. He then served as an adviser to the Co-Chair of the Green Climate Fund Board, managing the approval of USD 1.2 billion worth of funding for private sector focussed climate projects in developing countries. He served as an adviser to Independent Senator Tim Storer, negotiating the establishment of the 2018 Senate inquiry into electric vehicles and the passage of the 2019 refugee medivac bill. He went on to work as a Net Zero researcher at the University of Oxford and research fellow at Main Street One, a US-based digital campaign firm, in the lead up to the 2020 US presidential election. Byron is a proud descendant of the Dharug Nation and holds a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Oxford, and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Arts (Politics/Theatre), and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University.www.climate200.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the publisher of the local newspaper, The Post, Tina Brown has been deeply immersed in the community of Sydney’s upper north shore, and connected to what residents are feeling. Tina founded The Post during COVID lockdowns, providing local news coverage and connecting with community organisations. She also runs an international education company and has actively supported women's shelters and mental health initiatives across the area.https://www.tinabrownforberowra.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erchana is a world-record holding marathon runner and change-maker. In 2022 she made history and inspired audiences across the world by running 150 marathons over 150 consecutive days from Cape York to Melbourne to raise vital funds for Australia’s endangered wildlife. Now, she’s taking that passion, motivation and energy to another start line by running for the southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson. Erchana is also a nutritionist, small business owner and holds a Master of Human Nutrition.McPherson has been considered a safe Liberal seat for decades, but with incumbent Liberal member Karen Andrews retiring at this election, Erchana has a once in a generation opportunity to turn the seat independent and champion the needs of her Gold Coast community.https://www.erchana4mcpherson.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Helen Haines life has been grounded in community service – as a nurse, midwife, and public health researcher. Helen lives in Wangaratta and was part of the grassroots independent movement that transformed politics in Indi and the nation.Helen was elected in 2019 as the first independent in Australian history to succeed another independent in a federal seat, continuing Cathy McGowan’s legacy of community-driven representation.A champion for regional Australia, Dr Haines has secured millions of dollars for local projects. She is committed to action on climate change that benefits regional communities, improving telecommunications, regional housing, clean energy, and a fair share of funding and services for regional Australia.Dr Haines has been a champion for integrity and transparency in politics, influencing the establishment of the national integrity commission. She is the recipient of the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year and the Alan Missen Award for parliamentary integrity.https://www.helenhaines.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Wilkie has been the Independent Member for Clark (previously called Denison) since 2010 and is the longest serving Independent in the Federal Parliament. He has a strong sense of social justice and is a powerful integrity advocate. His flagship issues include climate change, gambling, integrity, animal welfare, asylum seekers and foreign and security policy. Andrew famously blew the whistle over the fraudulent reasons for Australia joining in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and continues to advocate for whistleblower protections and media freedom.https://andrewwilkie.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster, author and small business owner Alex Dyson is again running as an independent to get a better deal for his home, south west Victoria. In 2019, with $5,000 and a handful of family and friends supporting him, Alex secured 10% of the vote. Then Voices of Wannon formed, inspired by the community independent movement in Indi in north-east Victoria. The group endorsed Alex in 2022, with the community campaign securing 46% of the two-candidate-preferred vote, making Wannon marginal for the first time in decades. Now, with a growing people-powered movement, Alex can win.https://www.alexdysonindependent.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Olympic bronze medallist in alpine skiing to barrister specialising in commercial and sports law, Zali has built a career marked by determination and principled advocacy. Her path to politics was sparked by frustration with Australia's climate inaction, leading her to take on and defeat former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2019.In Parliament, Steggall’s landmark Climate Change Bill helped consolidate the national consensus on Net Zero emissions, while she has been instrumental in securing the National Anti-Corruption Commission and championing other political integrity reforms, leading the push for truth in political advertising laws. Through regular forums and close collaboration with the Warringah Community, she continues to champion her electorate's views in parliament by putting forward smart solutions, that will have a positive impact on today’s challenges – from taking climate action and addressing climate risks, to advocating for support with cost of living and reenergising the economy.https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning foreign correspondent Zoe Daniel spent three decades covering global crises for the ABC. Her children convinced her that frustration with politics-as-usual wasn't enough – she had to step up and make change happen. She did exactly that when she flipped the safe Liberal seat independent. Over the past three years, Zoe has brought deep experience to parliamentary debates on media reforms and foreign policy.https://zoedaniel.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 Victorian Father of the Year, Ben Smith is CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, a charity supporting locals struggling with housing insecurity and financial hardship. He is a well-respected community advocate, and also owns a successful local retail business. Ben is passionate about helping vulnerable people, whether it be tackling cost of living pressure, improving healthcare, or making housing affordable. Committed to integrity and true community representation for the Peninsula, Ben believes in putting people before politics. He also cares deeply about climate action and is driven to create a better future for his daughter.https://www.smithforflinders.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caz Heise is a nurse and regional health leader who has dedicated her life to supporting people in their most vulnerable moments. This has included delivering compassionate care at the bedside, leading regional health and emergency response teams, and managing Cowper's local hospitals during bushfires and floods. Her role as a Board Director of Cancer Council NSW, combined with her experience as a cancer survivor, has deepened her commitment to improving healthcare access in regional communities. Cowper has been a National Party stronghold for over 100 years, but in 2022, Caz' community  campaign came within 2,600 votes of winning,making Cowper the most marginal Nationals seat in the country.https://www.caz4cowper.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.