This policy aims to strengthen integrity and accountability in Victoria's parliament and public service, so government serves the community it's meant to represent, not the people running it.
It focuses on reforming the rules around political donations and election funding, introducing clear conditions on what ministers and MPs can do once they leave office, and improving transparency in public sector appointments and potential conflicts.
The key priorities:
Electoral funding reform
A level playing field
A fair go for all candidates
The new amendments have been called a "temporary fix," and critics warn they still tilt the playing field in the major parties' favour. I'll push for a genuine review and reform of these amendments. The major parties can't be trusted to (fix a system they built for their own benefit*) – this is exactly why community independents need a voice in the next parliament.
The new amendments have been called a "temporary fix," and critics warn they still tilt the playing field in the major parties' favour. I'll push for a genuine review and reform of these amendments. The major parties can't be trusted to bring fairness to a system they built to serve themselves – this is exactly why community independents need a voice in the next parliament.
Truth in political advertising
Businesses can’t mislead customers
Politicians shouldn’t mislead voters
Right now, lying in political ads in Victoria is legal. Businesses can’t mislead their customers, and politicians shouldn’t be able to mislead voters either. Misleading voters for political gain isn’t debate, it’s deceit, and it wears down trust in our democracy.
South Australia and the ACT already have working laws, and parliamentary committees have recommended reform twice, yet nothing has been legislated in Victoria. I’ll fight to make it unlawful to publish false or misleading statements of fact in political advertising, with an independent body able to order quick corrections during a campaign, while protecting opinion, satire and robust argument.
The law should cover parties, candidates and third-party campaigners, online content and AI deepfakes, with lies about how, when and where to vote treated as the most serious breach. I’ll introduce a bill early in the next parliament, and hold my own campaign to the same standard: checking our facts, correcting mistakes publicly, and never using deceptive AI-generated content
Mandatory briefing requirements
Frank and fearless advice
Decisions made in the open
It’s the role of the public service to serve the government of the day, not protect it. Victorian public servants are required to give frank and fearless advice and not withhold relevant information, but without proper process and protections, that requirement can be subverted, allowing governments to avoid accountability for poor decisions.
I’ll push for mandatory, legislated briefing requirements for significant ministerial decisions, such as major agreements, the use of “call in” powers, or anything above a set value or risk threshold. A briefing would be required before a minister gives any form of agreement, including in-principle agreement, and the minister would then have to table the briefing and a detailed explanation of their decision in parliament.
I’ll also push for serious penalties for anyone who interferes with a public servant’s frank and fearless advice. Better process means better decisions, and less room for corruption.
Public sector appointments & potential conflicts
Appointed fairly
Managed openly
Many senior public sector executive positions are now effectively political appointments. Having been politically active while working in the public sector myself, I recognise people can hold strong political views and still do their job professionally, and I wouldn't want to stop anyone from taking on a role they've genuinely earned, or from engaging politically.
The real issue isn't whether someone can 'wear two hats', it's whether any potential conflict of interest (actual or perceived) is properly managed, and whether that process is transparent enough for the public to trust it.
I'll push for greater transparency in how senior public sector positions are filled, and in how potential conflicts of interest are identified and managed.