Your Traffic light Voting Guide to elect five members for the Electorate of Brindabella is now available. You can print the guide at home and take it to the polling booth to help steer your choices as you fill in the ballot paper. Alternatively you can access our advice on your mobile phone by clicking on the download button below.

The team at Vote Climate One encourages all candidates to support the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord to underpin any decisions in the ACT Assembly relating to action on the climate emergency.

Green Light Candidates

Candidates who have committed to supporting the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord are on the top of our list as outstanding Green Light Candidates.

Riley Fernandes (IFC)

Riley qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

Riley was born and raised in Tuggeranong and believes in standing up for others and doing the right thing, even if it means going against the status quo. As a second-year psychology student, musician, and mother, she is extremely passionate about healthcare, the arts, and building a thriving Canberra for future generations.

Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3R’s and the Climate Rescue Accord

Dr Vanessa Picker (Independents for Canberra)

Vanessa qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

Vanessa is a sportswoman and a former Young Australian of the Year finalist with deep ties to the Brindabella electorate. She brings a diverse mix of experiences from high-level cricket and military service to launching a start-up, working in government policy, engaging in grassroots activism, and academia.

Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.

Elise Searson (Independents For Canberra)

Elise qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

Elise Searson grew up in Nelligen, where she spent her early years before her family moved to Batemans Bay. Growing up in a single-income family with four siblings, she quickly grasped the value of community spirit, resilience and the often underestimated role of mothers. Her father’s job at Telecom instilled in her a strong work ethic and a sense of commitment. Elise attended local public schools in Bateman Bay, where her talent in photography blossomed under the guidance of dedicated art teachers. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in photography and began her journalism career shortly after having her first child. However, life took an unexpected turn when Elise attempted to navigate the Federal Circuit Family Court of Australia and the criminal justice system. This experience exposed her to a deeply flawed, abusive process that enables perpetrators of family violence and child abuse, igniting a fire and driving her passion for advocacy and reform in family law and justice.

Now living in Canberra with her husband and two young children, Elise has founded an online community to empower and inform women while holding those in power accountable. Having spent many years supporting grassroots communities, she recognises the importance of using her privileged position to advocate for others.

Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.

Gareth Ballard (AJP)

As an active vegan of over ten years, I have been involved heavily in both animal activism and vegan outreach. I have spent countless hours volunteering at many local vegan animal sanctuaries, volunteered at rallies, helped leafleting and was on the Vegan ACT committee for several years. I also have strong views on social justice and improving access to mental health and alcohol and other drugs treatment in the ACT. I have a certificate IV in community services and a diploma in AOD and currently work at a residential rehabilitation facility. These have given me massive insight into some of the problems people face that could easily and cheaply be helped.

I’ve spent years advocating for animals volunteering for Vegan ACT (past committee member), Animal liberation ACT, and pretty much every local animal sanctuary. I helped to marshal the Dominion rally in Melbourne (the largest vegan animal rights rally in Australian history) and I have a strong network in both the vegan and animal rights community in the ACT.

The AJP values – Kindness Equality Rationality and Non-violence strongly resonate with me. I especially like the rationality value which links strongly in relation to the kangaroo cull. They are good values that I try to live by.

The local animal issues that I would like to highlight during the campaign as an AJP candidate are ending both the Kangaroo cull in the reserves and ending Horse racing in the ACT.

Other community concerns which I would like to highlight:

• Public money going to private schools should go to public schools
• Stopping the Rabbit destruction using pindone gas

The Animal Justice Party has fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.

Robyn Soxsmith (AJP)

Robyn qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

As a progressive voice for animals and the environment in the ACT, Robyn is proud to represent the Animal Justice Party.

As a long-time Kambah resident, Robyn has been a dedicated advocate for animals and social justice causes for over 25 years.

Now retired from the federal public service, Robyn devotes her time and experience to volunteering – including through direct action, running a women’s community social group, advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, and sitting on animal committees.

Robyn is determined to bring an end to the annual kangaroo massacre in Canberra. She co-founded an association to expose the cruelty of the cull, which sees over a thousand kangaroos and joeys slaughtered each year. She says it is time for the ACT Government to take animal protection seriously, and legislate a permanent end to the slaughter of our native wildlife.

Robyn is concerned about the loss of Canberra’s reputation as the beautiful Bush Capital and, if elected, will prioritise the protection of the ACT’s wildlife and its reserves.

“The annual kangaroo cull is ACT’s disgrace. Thousands of kangaroos have been slaughtered at the hands of the ACT Government, with joeys regularly bludgeoned to death. I am a lifelong advocate for animals, people and our planet. Now I want to get into the crossbench so that we can secure real and long-lasting legislative change.”

The Animal Justice Party has fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.

Laura Nuttall (Greens)

I grew up right here in Brindabella, in Richardson, and it’s been my care for my community here in the South and the people around me that has always driven me forward. I became involved in politics to fight for refugee rights and faster action on climate change, and started to think about what needed to change locally when confronted with the dire state of my local shops in Richardson.

Before becoming your MLA for Brindabella, I graduated from ANU with bachelors in Asia Pacific studies and Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and then worked in ACT Libraries.

Then, when I became the first Gen Z MLA to any Parliament in Australia in 2024 in 2023, I put those values and causes into action. As a young, queer woman with ADHD, I didn’t see people like me in any Australian parliament, and I’m so glad that I can be a voice for communities that traditionally have very little say in the affairs of government.

It’s my passion for environmental and economic justice that has driven me to run for re-election as your representative for Brindabella, to put Tuggeranong first, revitalise our neighbourhoods and tackle the climate and cost of living crises.

Sam Nugent (Greens)

I’m excited to be your Greens candidate for Brindabella.

Born in Brisbane, I moved to Canberra in 2017 and have called Tuggeranong my home since 2022, when my husband and two rescue cats moved into our apartment in Greenway. I love Brindabella, from Lake Tuggeranong to the mountains in the south of the electorate, and our wonderful, diverse community.

As someone who fled domestic violence and experienced homelessness, I became drawn to politics with a desire to make a difference in equity for housing, healthcare and women’s services for victims and survivors of domestic violence. For 25 years I practiced as a psychologist and rehabilitation clinician, working nationally to assess and rehabilitate patients with complex physical injuries and illnesses combined with mental health conditions. Throughout my career I have been driven by caring for people, innovating solutions for their needs, and this is what drew me to the Greens.

Troy Swan (Greens)

For the past 25 years, I have been proud to call the suburbs of Brindabella my home, having first lived in Isabella Plains and now residing in Chisholm. Like many in our community, I have felt disillusioned with the current state of politics and society. This is why I have decided to step forward as one of your Greens candidates for Brindabella.

As a Registered Nurse, I have witnessed firsthand how the cost of living crisis and political inaction are straining our healthcare system. I am deeply committed to ensuring that everyone has access to free, high-quality healthcare when they need it. I am passionate about advocating for a more equitable and just future for all members of our community.

As your Greens candidate for Brindabella, I will be a strong advocate for our community, fighting for the changes we need. Together, we can build a better future, but only if you vote for it.