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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 under $1,000 where the donor has requested to remain anonymous. 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.
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.
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.
What is your stance on 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.