This week Star Mail brings you profiles from local candidates in the Evelyn electorate.
Find out the party policies and what issues your candidates will be fighting for in the lead up to the Saturday 26 November election.
Read more about the candidates through this questionnaire.
NAME: Jan Heald
OCCUPATION: Customer Service
AGE: Unspecified
PARTY: Animal Justice Party
Where do you live?
I have lived in Mount Evelyn for 15 years
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
I have been a member of the Animal Justice Party since its inception and felt I now have the time to step up and nominate as a candidate.
I have had an interest in politics since my late teens. It came from a strong sense of social justice including human rights, environmental protections and animal welfare.
Why do you believe you’re the best candidate?
I believe an MP’s position is to serve all members of the Evelyn community and support local business. No seat in Victoria should be considered safe. I hate to see unfettered spending of money by the government. Any type of government. I will not see any reckless use of taxpayer money used for any project, infrastructure etc that is superfluous.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
All of them. Many people think the Animal Justice Party is a single-issue party. You’ll find on our website we have many policies on humans and the planet too. Central to all of our policies is our core values of kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence. This election we have 8 main policies we are focusing on including ending duck shooting, greater protections for wildlife and more ambitious climate targets.
What are the biggest three electorate issues and how will you tackle them?
The area is at risk of losing its unique tree environment and sense of space due to suburban sprawl and improper development. Evelyn provides a unique lifestyle and amenities to its various different suburb signatures which must be protected.
NAME: Nat De Francesco
OCCUPATION: Business owner, building and renovation supplies
AGE: 54
PARTY: Independent
Where do you live?
I have been a member of the Yarra Valley community for over twenty-five years and live in the township of Wandin North where I raised my family.
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
I decided to run for the seat of Evelyn because I want to help my community bounce back after the last few years and return to its magic lifestyle.
Why do you believe you’re the best candidate?
I am the best candidate for Evelyn because my heart and soul are in this community, and I want to help make Evelyn flourish again.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
My party policies are bringing back manufacturing and providing staple jobs, and helping local businesses to find and recruit staff.
I will work with the Agriculture sector to promote fresh Australian produce and limit the risk of unstable foods from other countries.
I will protect and enhance recreational areas for families and tourists and find funding for environmental community projects so we can all enjoy the outdoors again.
I will work with hospitals to shorten wait times and help with sourcing medical doctors, dentists and nurses.
I will do my best to work with energy companies to lower the cost of power and gas across the electorate.
I will put a stop to the deals between Labor and China, so we do not become a dictatorship.
What are the biggest three electorate issues and how will you tackle them?
The three biggest issues are the large increases in the cost of living on utilities and food and fuel costs for the families and businesses of Evelyn, the training of young people to enter the job market and improving services for the medical sector to operate more efficiently thus helps remove waiting times and pressure on the hospital system.
NAME: Lorna Dent
OCCUPATION: Business Owner
AGE: Unspecified
PARTY: Labor
Where do you live?
I have lived for over 20 years in Chirnside Park.
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
I want to see Evelyn better represented, by someone focused on the issues that matter to Evelyn, looking forward not backward. The future is so bright – our young people are amazing. I’ve not met anyone who didn’t want something better for the next generation, better than they had themselves. I want to ensure that we deliver for them a future of a secure job, lifelong access to training and reskilling, living more sustainably and adaption to climate change.
Why are you the best candidate?
I’m a local businesswoman, for over ten years I have run a successful local IT business. I have proudly volunteered for my local community, from former President of the Lilydale Chamber of Commerce to a decade in the scouting movement – including seven years as a Cub Scout Leader. I have a strong work ethic, serving and contributing to my community is important to me.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
Labor values, and therefore their policies are about fairness, social justice and inclusion. The dignity of a secure job paid fairly, lifelong access to training and reskilling, health, living more sustainably and adaption to climate change.
What are the biggest electorate issues and how will you tackle them?
From the thousands of people I have door knocked and spoken to, the big three would be not feeling their issues are heard by their current local member of parliament, they are concerned about community infrastructure to not only transition to renewables but make our townships more resilient to natural disasters, education and health.
If elected I will continue to engage with the community so I can be the best advocate in State Parliament for the people of Evelyn. Working together with the community, local and federal government to deliver the best outcomes. Labor is committed to switching to renewable power including more neighbourhood batteries and the re-establishment of the SEC. Continual investment in our schools, free kinder and free TAFE. A re-elected Labor government will deliver a $150 million package to incentivise nursing and midwifery graduates to join the public system, strengthen ratios, aged care in-reach, and expand maternal and child health support.
NAME: Rosalie De Francesco
OCCUPATION: Florist
AGE: 21
PARTY: Independent
Where do you live?
I live in the township of Wandin North which looks over the mountain views that the beautiful Yarra Valley has to offer. I have been fortunate enough to live in the Yarra Valley for 21 Years but at my current residential location for about 8 years.
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
Being in Generation Z I believe I can be a voice not only for our local community but also for the younger community.
Why do you believe you’re the best candidate?
Moving forward to 2023 and beyond I believe we need a fresh perspective on where the Evelyn District is heading. Starting my own business at the age of 18 and still running strong in a shop front in Seville. I hope to inspire other fellow members no matter your age anything is truly achievable with the right guidance and support.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
My key party policies are :
Education/Nurturing the next generation
Having the right resources/education out there where people are able to learn how to further
their career/business as well as their personal well-being.
Community Development
Truly understanding what the local/young community wants and where they wish to see our
District in the coming months/years.
Freedom of rights, speech and justice
The past few years have been particularly hard for a lot of people, especially in our younger community. With the increase in mental health concerns, trying to better ourselves and progress in life.
It has stunted our growth/progress and the livelihood of the younger members. Our rights/voices were taken away from us and now it is time to speak our truth and stand up and fight for justice.
What are the biggest three electorate issues and how will you tackle them?
As the Yarra Valley is best known for its horticultural I believe it is important to ensure farmers are supported with the right resources and funding to preserve what the Yarra Valley is all about and allow our region to continue to supply high-quality produce.
The eastern district is growing, with more suburbs being built meaning there is more congestion created. I believe it is important to ensure there are alternative routes and resources in which families can easily access necessities.
As illness rises I will work with hospitals to shorten the extensive wait times and assist with sourcing more medical doctors, dentists and nurses.
I absolutely love where we live and think the Yarra Valley is a beautiful place and I feel fortunate enough to have lived here my entire life. I have a great passion for preserving our district, so allow me to be your voice and ensure we have positive years ahead for both present and future generations to come.
NAME: Bridget Vallence
OCCUPATION: State Member for Evelyn and Shadow Minister for Industry, Manufacturing, Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy
AGE: Unspecified
PARTY: Liberal
Where do you live?
I live in Wandin in the Yarra Valley with my husband and two sons.
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
It is a privilege to serve our community as the local MP. I am re-contesting the seat of Evelyn because I am passionate about helping residents, local businesses and community organisations to thrive. After the challenges of the past few years of the pandemic and damaging storms across our region, I’m more determined than ever to help our community recover and rebuild.
Why do you believe you’re the best candidate?
I haven’t wasted a minute working to achieve the best possible services and outcomes for our community, advocating in Parliament and in the media. I am passionate about ensuring our community of Lilydale district and the Yarra Valley receives its fair share. That’s why, under a Liberal Government, we’ll invest $400 million to upgrade Maroondah Hospital, $5 million for vital safety upgrades to the Warburton Highway in Seville, $8 million to build a new SES Unit in the Dandenong Ranges, $15.6 million in local school upgrades in Mooroolbark, Mt Evelyn, Wandin North and Chirnside Park, $1 million towards a new sports pavilion in Coldstream, and we’ll kickstart the scoping works to duplicate the Lilydale to Mooroolbark rail line and train station at Kinley and review and upgrade the bus network across the district.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
I believe in freedom, equality of opportunity, individual enterprise, caring for the vulnerable, and conserving our environment, core values of the Liberal Party. Under a Matt Guy Liberal Government, our key focus is fixing the Health crisis in Victoria. We’ll halve surgery waiting lists which will help hundreds of Yarra Ranges residents waiting for vital surgery, build and redevelop hospitals across Victoria including a new emergency department, ICU, nurse training facilities and more mental health services at Maroondah Hospital, properly fund the Triple-Zero emergency call service, and have real solutions for the healthcare workforce to recruit, upskill and better support the staff we need to rebuild our health system.
What are the biggest three electorate issues and how will you tackle them?
Many issues matter to our community, but three priority issues include health, roads, and the cost of living.
Health: Under the Andrews Labor Government, Victoria has the lowest funding of any State in Australia for hospitals, there’s more than 87,000 Victorians on a surgery waiting list, ambulances are ramping, and emergency patients are unacceptably treated in tents. A Liberal Government’s first priority will be to fix the health crisis, build and redevelop hospitals, support the training and growth of the healthcare workforce and halve surgery waiting lists, providing better access to health services for Yarra Ranges residents.
Roads: Local communities across Lilydale district and the Yarra Valley deserve safer roads, after years of neglect under the Andrews Labor Government. Only the Liberals will invest $10 billion over 10 years to upgrade crumbling roads and fix dangerous potholes, with $5 million dedicated to vital safety upgrades for Warburton Highway in Seville/Seville East.
Cost of living: Under the Andrews Labor Government, Victoria’s debt is spiralling to a troubling record of $164 billion, which will be left to our children and grandchildren to pay. Every major project on Labor’s big build is over budget, with cost blowouts of nearly $30 billion. Labor has introduced or added 43 new taxes over 8 years, despite promising none. As the cost of everything is going up, only the Liberals have promised no new taxes, will legislate a cap on state debt, will freeze local government fees for small business over the next four years, increase the payroll tax threshold to $1.6 million helping business employ more people, and lower the cost of public transport to $2 flat fare all day, every day ($1 for concession), to help families get ahead.
NAME: Jeanette Dobson
OCCUPATION: Unspecified
AGE: Unspecified
PARTY: Family First Victoria
Jeanette Dobson is representing the Family First Victoria Party in Evelyn. A response was not received.
Ms Dobson has shared Facebook videos and posts on issues such as Andrew Thorburn’s resignation as CEO of the Essendon Football Club, the right to freedom of religion, condolences following the death of the Queen, preventing an inquiry that would give permanent residents from foreign countries and New Zealanders residing in Australia the right to vote and the defiance from some Catholic schools of gender-fluid affirmation laws.
The Family First Victoria party believes in strong safeguards for workers and family businesses, supporting tax and family benefits to make it easier to raise a family. The party believes families should be given the freedom to make their own choices about their health, education and their livelihoods and in properly funding the economy to ensure a strong future for the next generation.
No headshot was available.
NAME: Andrew Henley
OCCUPATION: Logistics for the Healthcare sector
AGE: 39
PARTY: Greens
Where do you live?
I live in Mooroolbark and have lived here for ten years.
Why did you decide to run for Evelyn?
I am extremely concerned about the future we are leaving behind for our children’s generation and the Greens are the party with the solutions to this.
Why do you believe you’re the best candidate for Evelyn?
The Greens do not accept donations from big business so our policies are developed by experts in their field, not the person with the deepest pockets.
What are your party’s policies and values you stand by?
I am very proud of all Greens policies. The Greens don’t think in four-year election cycles but ask what will future generations think of the decisions we are making today?
What are the biggest three issues in Evelyn and how will you tackle them?
Climate mitigation: $50 million increased funding for the SES to prepare for further forecast climate fuelled storms.
Community say in developments: End donations from property developers and restore democracy to our planning systems.
Energy prices: 90 per cent of the upward pressure on energy costs is from high coal and gas prices. Investing more in renewables will bring down our energy costs.
