“Footscray deserves a representative whose first loyalty is to the people who live here, not to a political party. I am standing to be that independent voice.”

Meet Jess

Lawyer. Human rights advocate. Mum of three. Proud Inner West local.

I have called Yarraville home for more than a decade and I am raising my three daughters here.

Like so many local families, I love what makes the Inner West special: our diversity, creativity and strong sense of community. But I also see the pressures we face every day. Dirty air. Poor planning. Rising housing costs. Overcrowded schools. Green spaces under threat. A community that is too often overlooked.

Throughout my career, I have worked in the public service, the United Nations and community organisations, including the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Footscray. I have spent my career solving complex problems, bringing people together and standing up for communities.

I believe good leadership is about listening, working with people and delivering practical results. That is exactly how I will represent Footscray.

Why I am standing

Footscray has been taken for granted as a safe seat for too long.

I am standing because our community deserves an independent voice that is accountable to local people, not to a political party.

Like many in our community, I am disillusioned with the status quo, and a political system that isn’t working for our communities.

I am tired of politicians telling us who to blame, or taking cheap shots at each other. Politicians talking but not saying anything real. Negativity without solutions.

What we need is people who are prepared to collaborate and solve problems. That is the kind of politics I want to bring to Parliament.

Pragmatic. Evidence-based. Community-led.

This election will also take place at a time when fear and division are becoming louder in Australian politics.

Some are trying to sell a vision of Australia built on blame. ‘Blame migrants.’ ‘Blame multiculturalism.’

That is not who we are. That is not Footscray.

As someone who grew up in Hong Kong, who has lived and worked across Southeast Asia, Ethiopia, and Footscray, I know that diverse communities are stronger communities.

Footscray’s diversity is our greatest strength. It makes us more creative, more resilient, and more compassionate. We heard this time and time again during our kitchen table conversations.

I reject the politics of division completely. I will always stand for a community that is inclusive, welcoming and united.

A strong local voice

I have worked in Footscray, raised my family in Yarraville and volunteered alongside local groups on human rights, air pollution, climate and protecting our green spaces.

I want an Inner West where children breathe clean air, families have access to great schools and parks, and businesses thrive.
Where planning happens with communities, not to them.
Where consultation with the community is not an afterthought.
Where integrity is expected, not exceptional.
Where elected representatives actually listen.

That is why I am standing as a community independent. Not because I think politicians have all the answers. But because I think communities often do.

Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable and fairer future for Footscray.

New to the idea of a community independent? Read the explainer →

Policy

What Jess Cares About

The issues Jess is fighting for. Tap any priority to read more on the policy page.