Jason Wood – Liberal
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I live in the Dandenong Ranges and have done so since I was four years old.
Why did you choose to run for the seat of La Trobe?
I am passionate about local issues and wanted to help the constituents in the Dandenong Ranges. I have always wanted to be of public service and make a positive impact on my community.
Why did you choose to join your party or run as an independent?
I chose to join the Liberal Coalition because it represents values that are dear to me and to the communities I work closely with in La Trobe. The party stands for the rights and freedoms of all people, nurtures and encourages its citizens through incentives, and promotes a just and humane society. It also emphasises the importance of family, the role of law and justice, and equal opportunity for all Australians.
What is your number one policy to reduce the cost of living?
The cost of living is the number one concern I hear from locals. As part of our plan, a Coalition government will provide immediate help to families by cutting the fuel excise by 25 cents per litre. This will save a two-car family about $1,500 a year.
Why are you the best candidate for La Trobe?
I have been fighting for my local communities since 2004, have had the privilege of collaborating with local residents to achieve significant milestones, such as the completion of the Beaconsfield Interchange, major upgrades to sports facilities with a special emphasis on female sports, and the establishment of the Beaconsfield Scout Hall. I am dedicated to addressing the issues that matter most to the locals.
Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our 10-year-old daughter. We love hiking, swimming, gardening, and playing with our new puppy, Smokey.
What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
The three biggest issues facing the electorate are the cost of living, community safety, and housing affordability.
What are your three most important policies?
– Cost of Living Tax Offset: We will deliver a Cost of Living Tax Offset to more than 10 million taxpayers as part of our plan to get Australia back on track. This means Australians earning up to $144,000 will receive up to $1,200 in tax relief when they lodge their tax return for the upcoming 2025-26 financial year.
– Mortgage Interest Deduction: First home buyers can deduct the interest paid on up to $650,000 of their mortgage from their assessable income.
– Controlled Migration and Housing Infrastructure Programme: We will implement a two-year ban on foreign investors and reduce migration from current record levels.
Jeff Springfield – Australian Labor Party
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I live in Emerald where I was born and raised and have lived in La Trobe for most of my life.
Why did you choose to run for the seat of La Trobe?
I’m running for La Trobe to step up and serve the communities that I love, this beautiful region where we live. We are in desperate need of fresh leadership, a positive change in how we are represented as a region in Federal Parliament. The incumbent MP has been La Trobe’s representative for so long now, many residents are crying out for a change. For someone who can lead us into the future as we grow, evolve and adapt to the times. Someone who is deeply connected with the people, the heritage and the diverse townships and environments in which we live.
Someone with a positive vision for our future. Dedicated to working collaboratively across all levels of Government to deliver for our residents at home. Dedicated to moving beyond
the toxic divisive opposition politics that we have had to endure for the past three years.
Why did you choose to join your party or run as an independent?
I’ve always cared deeply about social justice, fairness, inclusion and equality for all. These same principals are central to everything Labor stands for. The Albanese Government has been working hard during their first term. Delivering the first budget surplus (x2) in 15 years, while simultaneously providing tax cuts for all Australians, investing in a better future for us all by bolstering our healthcare and education systems, combating inflation and the cost of living. They’re the only choice to see us safely through these difficult times of continuing global uncertainty.
What is your number one policy to reduce the cost of living?
Health and education! We are investing heavily in both the health of our nation and the education that we need for our future. These fundamental pillars are essential for the
healthy, productive, economically stable society that we all desire.
Why are you the best candidate for La Trobe?
I believe I am the only candidate standing who has the real potential to improve upon that which we have experienced in the past. A proven performance capability to stand and deliver for my community. Dedicated to solving our problems rather than blaming them away. A new voice for our region. Support me to be your next MP and together we can do La Trobe better!
Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
Outside of work I love playing music and the arts, the beautiful environment in which we live and the friends and family I call home.
What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
– Cost of Living.
– Community safety.
– Housing.
What are your three most important policies?
Substantial and focused investments in – Health, Education, Housing Affordability.
Jamie Longmuir – The Greens
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I have lived in officer my entire life.
Why did you choose to run for the seat of La Trobe?
I have chosen to run for the seat of LaTrobe because I believe the current leadership is failing to adequately represent the interests of its constituents. My candidacy aims to offer an
alternative that prioritises the genuine needs of the community. Many residents are grappling with the rising cost of living and housing unaffordability.These issues are, in large part, a
consequence of the major political parties prioritising the interests of large corporations, that contribute significant political donations to liberal and labor.
Why did you choose to join your party or run as an independent?
I joined the Greens because they are a party that demonstrates integrity in their approach to politics. The party is built on the collective power of ordinary people. Its policies are designed to serve the majority of the population.
What is your number one policy to reduce the cost of living?
Making price gouging illegal with a tough new corporate watchdog to monitor illegal rorting in the major supermarkets, under a new greens plan to push down the cost of
living and make groceries more affordable.
Why are you the best candidate for La Trobe?
As a local in Officer, I am deeply committed to addressing the cost of living and the climate crisis. After 18 years under the current MP, it is time for bold, progressive leadership. If
elected, I will fight for systemic change and a fairer future that truly reflects the needs of La Trobe.
Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy being active in nature through hiking, rock climbing and surfing. I value time with family and friends and have a strong appreciation for live music. I’m also
passionate about activism, working alongside others to protect our basic right to live in a safe and habitable environment.
What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
– Housing affordability has become a significant challenge, with individuals increasingly required to work excessive hours simply to afford a home.
– Health: Cost of living is hurting all of us. Our basic health needs are being neglected.
– Climate change impacts, from bushfires, floods and storms, our community is on the front line.
What are your three most important policies?
– Making property developers allocate affordable homes to first home owners and introducing a public and affordable housing levy.
– Dental into medicare and see the GP for free.
– Replacing coal and gas exports to become a clean energy export powerhouse.
Leo Panetta – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I have been a resident of Tynong since 2018 and my family and I love being part of this community.
Why did you choose to run for the seat of La Trobe?
I chose to run for the seat of La Trobe as that is where I live, which makes me familiar with the local people and our issues.
Why did you choose to join your party?
I chose to join One Nation as my Christian beliefs align perfectly with the value set and policies of One Nation.
What is your number one policy to reduce the cost of living?
One Nation’s top policy for tackling cost-of-living pressures is slashing electricity bills by 20% through changes to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Why are you the best candidate for La Trobe?
As I’m not a career politician I am not scared to say what I mean, and I mean what I say.
Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
As a father of three, my weekends are packed with cheering from the sidelines at my kids’ sports games, rain, hail or shine, with a coffee in hand and a loud voice to root for their efforts. It’s a whirlwind of soccer and football, and I love every minute of watching them grow through teamwork and grit. Coaching my daughter’s soccer team is the cherry on top—an absolute privilege. It’s not just about teaching drills or strategy; it’s about seeing her and her teammates gain confidence, learn resilience, and have fun. Being their coach lets me connect with her in a special way, and I’m proud to be part of their journey.
What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
– Housing Affordability and Homelessness
– Cost of Living and Financial Hardship
– Youth Crime
What are your three most important policies?
– Electricity Bill Reductions: Change the National Electricity Market (NEM) rules to enable and incentivize cheaper coal and gas-fired baseload power while supporting nuclear energy in the medium term. Aim to slash electricity bills by 20% immediately.
– Fuel Price Relief: Halve the fuel excise to 26 cents per litre for 3 years with a review after 12 months, with the option to extend further. This measure will reduce costs for motorists and lower freight expenses, directly impacting the price of groceries, goods, and services.
– Tax Relief for Households and Retirees: Enable aged and veteran pensioners to earn more without penalty. Introduce income splitting and joint tax return filing for couples with dependent children.
Raise the tax-free threshold to $35,000 for self-funded retirees.
Ron Malhotra – Family First
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I have lived in La Trobe for 15+ years.
Why did you choose to run for the seat of La Trobe?
I decided to run to oppose radical gender ideology, push back against the obsession with net zero at the expense of our economy, and oppose the participation of men in women’s sports.
Why did you choose to join your party or run as an independent?
Family First’s mission is to build a political movement that will fight for and sustain the social and economic well-being of the nation, by promoting family, life, faith, freedom, enterprise and subsidiarity (empowering individuals, families and communities to resolve the matters closest to them). This aligns with my personal values.
What is your number one policy to reduce the cost of living?
Considering and promoting initiatives and policies that encourage efficiency, and reduce excessive Government waste and bureaucracy, as this contributes to inflation, which affects everyone.
Why are you the best candidate for La Trobe?
My common-sense approach towards public policy, combined with my financial acumen, my conservative views and an understanding of faith and its connection to western values, means that I will stand for initiatives that promote family, financial well-being, faith and freedom.
Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
I am a family man with conservative views, passionate about restoration of common sense in public policy, protection of individual rights, economic prosperity for all, and preservation of traditional western values. My professional background is predominantly in wealth management, private banking, consulting, entrepreneurship and coaching. I am passionate about family, faith, freedom and financial independence.
What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
Australians, including new migrants, that I have met with are primarily concerned with the cost-of-living crisis, rising electricity costs and the protection of faith-based schools.
What are your three most important policies?
Economic-freedom for families such as housing and energy affordability, child-protection from radical gender ideology, and protecting Australian values. More can be found about these policies, and others, via https://www.familyfirstparty.org.au/policies
