I have dedicated my life to public service and community leadership, and I believe that my skills, experience, and passion will assist South Morang and the City of Whittlesea to thrive. Our community is at a crucial turning point, as we continue to grow and face new challenges. I stood for election to the Whittlesea City Council because I want to ensure that the collective voices of South Morang residents are heard and that decisions made by the Council reflect the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the people of the City of Whittlesea. My decision to stand for election is ingrained in my desire to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of our community, ensuring that it remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I understand the importance of good governance, transparency, and accountability, and I am committed to representing our community with integrity, listening to residents, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver real outcomes. Whether it’s addressing infrastructure needs, enhancing public safety, or supporting local businesses, I am ready to lead and represent with a vision for a stronger, better and safer City of Whittlesea.

I firmly believe that local government should be driven by the needs and voices of the people it serves. I will make it a priority to actively engage with the communities of the City of Whittlesea and South Morang to ensure that your concerns and ideas are reflected in council decisions. This will involve hosting regular meetings where residents can share their views, setting up online forums for ongoing feedback, and establishing community advisory panels to provide input on key issues. Transparency and open communication are at the heart of my approach. I will be available and accessible to residents through a variety of channels, including social media, email, and face to face meetings. My goal is to create a two way dialogue where residents feel empowered to share their concerns and suggestions, and where I can keep the community informed about the work of the council.

There are many ways you can get involved to help make South Morang and the City of Whittlesea a better place. Whether you want to volunteer your time, spread the word, or simply share your ideas with me, I welcome your participation. You can reach out by attending one of my upcoming community meetings or email me directly on my council email as appearing on the City of Whittlesea Council social media site. Together, we can build a stronger, safer, and more sustainable South Morang and City of Whittlesea.

As a councilor for the City of Whittlesea, I will focus on several key areas that are crucial for the wellbeing and future of our community. Public Safety: Ensuring that our streets, parks, and public spaces are safe for everyone is my top priority. I will work to improve community safety by advocating for better street lighting, enhancing pedestrian crossings, and supporting local police with community safety initiatives. Having served in the Victoria Police and other law enforcement agencies, I know firsthand how important it is to have a secure environment, and I will advocate for stronger collaboration between council, police, and local safety groups. Infrastructure and Transport: The City of Whittlesea is growing, and with that growth comes the need for improved infrastructure. I will work focus on addressing traffic congestion, improve road maintenance, and advocate for better public transport services, including more frequent bus routes and improved train connections. I will also focus on ensuring that new developments are well planned, with adequate infrastructure to support them, preventing strain on our roads, schools, and healthcare services. Support for Local Businesses: A vibrant local economy is key to the wellbeing of our community. I will work to create opportunities for local businesses to grow and thrive by supporting initiatives that reduce red tape, reviewing permit application processes and costs, providing better access to council resources, and promoting local entrepreneurship. I believe in fostering strong relationships between local businesses and the council to help create jobs and boost our local economy. Community Health and Wellbeing: In these challenging times, mental health and community support services are more important than ever. I will work to ensure that the City of Whittlesea has accessible, high quality mental health services, family support, and recreational programs. I am committed to expanding these services to meet the diverse needs of our community, from our youth to our elderly. My work in mental health advocacy gives me the insight needed to lead on these issues effectively. Environmental Sustainability: We must protect and preserve our environment for future generations. I will advocate for environmentally responsible development, more green spaces, and initiatives that promote sustainable living, such as renewable energy adoption and waste reduction programs. Our beautiful parks and natural areas are some of our greatest assets, and I will work towards ensuring they are maintained and enhanced for all to enjoy.

I am fully committed to ensuring that our emergency services are supported, strengthened, and able to provide the best possible care and response for our community. Drawing from my extensive experience in policing, law enforcement, CFA and St John Ambulance and working as an Advanced Responder and paramedic, I understand the unique challenges faced by these essential services and how vital they are to our safety and wellbeing. Here’s how I plan to assist: Advocating for Increased Funding and Resources: I will work with local, state, and federal governments to advocate for increased funding for police, fire response, and ambulance services. This to assist in ensuring that they have the necessary personnel, equipment, and technology to respond efficiently to emergencies in our rapidly growing community of the City of Whittlesea. Collaboration with Emergency Service Providers: I will work with council to establish regular dialogue with the leadership of our emergency services to identify their needs and concerns. By fostering a strong partnership, I will ensure that Council decisions are informed by those on the frontlines and that we are responsive to the unique demands placed on them. Improved Infrastructure and Response Times: I will push for improved infrastructure, such as better road networks and strategically placed emergency response hubs. This will help reduce response times and ensure emergency services can reach those in need as quickly as possible. Community Safety Initiatives: I plan to develop community based safety programs that work in tandem with emergency services. Initiatives such as public safety education, fire preparedness workshops, first aid and mental health first aid training will empower residents and reduce the burden on emergency services by promoting prevention and preparedness. Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing of First Responders: I will advocate for programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of our first responders. Their roles are incredibly demanding, and providing mental health resources, peer support, and recognition of their efforts is essential to maintaining a strong, motivated workforce.

I believe that supporting local businesses is vital to building a thriving community and ensuring economic growth in South Morang and the City of Whittlesea. As a Councillor I will strongly advocate for the needs of small and medium sized businesses, assisting them to grow, thrive, and contribute to our vibrant local economy. I plan on doing this by: Advocating for Business Friendly Policies: I advocate for Council policies that reduce red tape, streamline processes, and make it easier for local businesses to operate. By cutting down on bureaucratic delays, we can create a more supportive environment that encourages entrepreneurship and allows businesses to flourish. Promoting Local Business Visibility: I will work with the Council to develop programs that promote and raise the visibility of South Morang's local businesses. This could include organising community events, local business expos, and ‘shop local’ campaigns to encourage residents to support businesses in our community. Business Development and Training Support: I will advocate for the creation of business development initiatives, such as workshops, mentoring programs, and networking events, designed to support business owners in areas such as digital marketing, financial management, and customer service. Providing these resources will help local businesses stay competitive and grow. Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements: I will champion projects that improve infrastructure, such as upgrading transport links and creating more parking spaces around business districts. These improvements will make it easier for customers to access local businesses and encourage more foot traffic to commercial areas. Encouraging Local Procurement: I will advocate for the Council to prioritise local businesses when procuring goods and services for municipal projects. This will ensure that local businesses are given opportunities to compete for contracts and contribute to local economic development. Supporting Innovation and Sustainability: I will promote initiatives that encourage businesses to adopt innovative practices and sustainable solutions. Whether it's through grants, partnerships, or support for new technologies, I believe that innovation and sustainability are key to the future success of South Morang’s business community. Creating a Business Advisory Council: I propose creating a Business Advisory Council that will serve as a direct line of communication between business owners and council through me. This body would allow businesses to share their concerns, ideas, and needs, ensuring that Council decisions are aligned with the economic realities of the business community.

Environmental sustainability is a critical issue for our future, and I am committed to ensuring that South Morang plays a leading role in promoting green initiatives. This means advocating for environmentally responsible development, expanding green spaces, and supporting programs that encourage sustainable living. I will work to ensure that new developments in South Morang adhere to strict environmental standards, with a focus on preserving our natural landscapes and minimising the community's carbon footprint. I will also push for greater investment in renewable energy solutions, including solar panels on public buildings, and support programs that help residents reduce energy consumption and waste. Expanding public transport options and encouraging active transport, such as walking and cycling, are key to reducing traffic congestion and lowering emissions in our ward.

Transparency is the cornerstone of effective and trustworthy governance. I believe that all decisions, policies, and financial dealings of the council should be open and accessible to the public. When local government operates transparently, it builds trust and allows the community to hold its leaders accountable. I am committed to pushing for policies that ensure clear communication and open access to council information, ensuring the public is always informed and involved.

My priority actions include: 1. Implementing clear policies for reporting and investigating any misconduct. 2. Enhancing public access to council decisions, minutes, and financial reports as permitted by law. 3. Creating a robust internal audit system to detect and prevent fraud or inappropriate behaviour; and 4. Promoting open forums where the public can question and hold their council representatives accountable.

I have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to corruption and misconduct. Corrupt conduct not only erodes public trust but also undermines the very function of local government. My background in corruption investigations has equipped me with the knowledge and experience to detect, report, and address corrupt activities. I will advocate for stronger internal controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure that inappropriate behaviour is swiftly dealt with, protecting the integrity of our council and the people of South Morang and the City of Whittlesea.

My years of experience in criminal investigations, prosecution and the conduct of administrative inquiries etc have given me a deep understanding of how important it is to have strong oversight and clear processes to prevent unethical and in appropriate behaviour. I have seen firsthand the damage that corruption and misconduct can do to communities, which is why I am so committed to ensuring that council operates with integrity. This approach will influence everything I do as a councillor, ensuring that the community’s interests always come first.

Throughout my career in policing and law enforcement, I have been deeply involved in investigating corrupt conduct, particularly in high risk areas like fraud and governance. My extensive experience includes working as Senior Counsel Assisting at the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, where I led investigations into misconduct and corruption and as a Senior Detective. Has given me a solid foundation in identifying and addressing ethical breaches, which I now bring to my role as a Councillor with the Whittlesea City Council.

Integrity is built through strong leadership and a commitment to ethical behaviour at every level. I will work to foster a culture where all councillors and council members and staff are held to the highest ethical standards. This means regular ethics training, clear codes of conduct, and open channels for reporting any form of misconduct. Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for whistleblowers is also key to maintaining accountability within council.