Your Traffic light Voting Guide to elect five members for the Electorate of Murrumbidgee will be 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.
Outstanding Green Light Candidates.
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Green Light Candidates
Click on the link to see their profile
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.
If you have any information which may inform our candidate assessments please use our contact form at the bottom of this page or phone Rob on 0427 580803
Green Light Candidates
Candidates who have committed to supporting the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord are on the top of our list as exceptional Green Light Candidates.
Fiona qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
“I support the application of the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord to inform, when relevant, our position and advocacy on legislation and policy.“
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Climate Resilience Planning
- a review of whether Energy Efficiency Ratings (EERs) of dwellings as built meet the EERs claimed at design stage to ensure occupants enjoy comfort throughout the year and reduced energy costs.
- reduction of the heat island effect and flood risk, and provision of living infrastructure to improve people’s physical and mental health, by:
- at least 30 percent tree canopy across the city, including residential areas
- mandatory rules for permeable/planting area of at least 30 percent around new homes
Natural Environment
- the key elements that make Canberra a unique city – our networks of urban nature reserves, open spaces and streetscapes
- maintain mature trees with tree hollows to support biodiversity·naturalisation of Yarralumla Creek with planning to commence for the whole creek, with a focus on North Curtin and Athllon Drive
- environmental volunteers maintaining our urban open space and nature reserves
- resourcing for Southern ACT Catchment Group to manage the growth in groups looking after urban open spaces
- community education and incentive programs to assist residents identify and control weeds in verges and yards, including the successful Weed Swap program
- greater alignment between the plans and strategies dealing with the natural environment and the agencies administering them to avoid duplication of effort
- a biodiversity overlay/plan to detail how the various plans apply, identify the landscape elements to be retained (especially mature native trees) and projects where development contributions can be applied for habitat connectivity and district scale improvement projects like naturalisation of Yarralumla Creek.
Fiona Carrick Independents have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Maria Fatseas (Fiona Carrick Independents)
Maria qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
I am the daughter of Greek immigrants and grew up in central west NSW,
before completing university studies in Sydney and then moving to Canberra
to join the Australian Public Service.
I spent over two decades in public sector management, including in policy
development and program management relating to immigration, international
education, research and innovation. I represented Australia overseas,
including through postings to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
I understand the importance of good governance and management, and the
monitoring and evaluation of government programs to ensure they are
achieving desired outcomes. This is a priority for the next Legislative
Assembly to ensure greater accountability of ACT Government
administration.
Having established and operated my own small business, I also understand
issues and challenges facing businesses.
I am committed to standing up for the residents in my local community. As
past Chair of the Inner South Canberra Community Council (for 5 years) and
a Committee member (for 13 years), I advocated with my colleagues on
planning and development, environmental and other issues. Prior to chairing
the ISCCC, I was President of the Yarralumla Residents Association.
In these volunteer roles, I led successful campaigns to achieve better
outcomes, including in relation to plans for the redevelopment of the
heritage-listed Canberra Brickworks precinct, and to stop a polluting waste
facility from being built within a few hundred metres of people’s homes.
Crucial to success was working collaboratively with my fellow committee
members, affected residents groups and communities, and other
stakeholders, to build effective advocacy.
I have been an active volunteer on climate change and environmental issues.
For over a decade, I was a member of the volunteer team, and then
governing Board, that developed, delivered and now operates a community
owned solar farm in the ACT. I support the transition to net zero emissions.
As a support candidate, I support Fiona Carrick in her campaign for election
to the Legislative Assembly. Fiona and I will stand up for local communities
across the electorate.
Fiona Carrick Independents have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Bruce Paine (Fiona Carrick Independents)
Bruce qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
I was born in Brisbane, before moving to Canberra and undertaking my secondary education at public high schools in Canberra.
After labouring on building sites for a couple of years, I completed a Bachelor of Economics Degree at the Australian National University. I joined the Federal Department of the Treasury after a period in the private financial market.
I spent nearly 30 years in the Treasury, working across many areas including Federal-State financial relations, taxation policy, financial market policy and developing and administering an assistance package for insurance around 2003. I represented Australia overseas in Tokyo. I retired as a Senior Executive Service Officer.
I consider that good government is one important contributor to the wellbeing of our community. Consultation, transparency and Ministerial accountability by governments are critical to achieving good outcomes for the whole community.
I do not think current ACT Labor/Green majority government has been serving the ACT community well, particularly in recent years.
Canberrans would be much better served if we elect credible independent MLAs (we currently have none) in the ACT election on October 19. This is because credible independents can critically assess policy proposals from any of the major Parties (or propose their own policies) and focus solely on their local community rather than owing their prime allegiance to a major political party.
For some years until 2020 I served on the Board of Pedal Power (ACT), the key cycling advocacy organisation in Canberra. I enjoy cycling however I recognise that is not a viable alternative for many people who commute to work. I also support various charities, including recently through an in-person learning assistance role.
I consider that Fiona Carrick is energetic, intelligent, and shows good judgement and would make an excellent MLA for Murrumbidgee if elected.
Fiona Carrick Independents have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Anne-Louise Dawes (Independents for Canberra)
Anne-Louise qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
Anne-Louise Dawes is a descendant of the Dawes and Franklin families that moved to the Brindabella region before Canberra was formed. Generations of the Dawes family have remained in the ACT sharing a deep gratitude for life in the bush city.
As a career bureaucrat, Anne-Louise developed a strong interest in social justice and equality, having seen the importance of improving the social and economic participation of the most vulnerable people in our community. She grew up on the north side before moving to Chifley where she raised two children.
Anne-Louise is armed with a strong working knowledge of both levels of government and a fierce determination to ensure the capital gets its share of federal funding.
Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Paula McGrady (Independents for Canberra)
Paula qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
Paula McGrady is a Goomeri/Bigumbul woman who has called Canberra home for over 20 years and is the outgoing Deputy Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.
Paula’s roots in the community run deep, with a life of service in the community sector including in family and domestic violence, sexual abuse, youth justice, homelessness, education, counselling and support. She believes the collective efforts of Canberrans can lead to impI am the daughter of Greek immigrants and grew up in central west NSW,
before completing university studies in Sydney and then moving to Canberra
to join the Australian Public Service.
I spent over two decades in public sector management, including in policy
development and program management relating to immigration, international
education, research and innovation. I represented Australia overseas,
including through postings to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
I understand the importance of good governance and management, and the
monitoring and evaluation of government programs to ensure they are
achieving desired outcomes. This is a priority for the next Legislative
Assembly to ensure greater accountability of ACT Government
administration.
Having established and operated my own small business, I also understand
issues and challenges facing businesses.
I am committed to standing up for the residents in my local community. As
past Chair of the Inner South Canberra Community Council (for 5 years) and
a Committee member (for 13 years), I advocated with my colleagues on
planning and development, environmental and other issues. Prior to chairing
the ISCCC, I was President of the Yarralumla Residents Association.
In these volunteer roles, I led successful campaigns to achieve better
outcomes, including in relation to plans for the redevelopment of the
heritage-listed Canberra Brickworks precinct, and to stop a polluting waste
facility from being built within a few hundred metres of people’s homes.
Crucial to success was working collaboratively with my fellow committee
members, affected residents groups and communities, and other
stakeholders, to build effective advocacy.
I have been an active volunteer on climate change and environmental issues.
For over a decade, I was a member of the volunteer team, and then
governing Board, that developed, delivered and now operates a community
owned solar farm in the ACT. I support the transition to net zero emissions.
As a support candidate, I support Fiona Carrick in her campaign for election
to the Legislative Assembly. Fiona and I will stand up for local communities
across the electorate.
rovements in critical areas including health outcomes, environmental issues, education and community safety.
Paula understands the significance of using privileged positions to advocate for others, having spent most of her life working with and advocating for the grassroots of communities across the ACT and NSW.
Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Nathan Naiker (Independents for Canberra)
Nathan qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
Nathan is a dedicated Canberra resident who is deeply passionate about our city’s future. With a distinguished career in the Federal Public Service in areas including economics, transport and health, Nathan is eager to bring his experience and passion to advocating for policies that prioritise the wellbeing and prosperity of all Canberra residents.
Transparency and accountability in government actions are non-negotiable for Nathan. He is committed to holding the government to a high standard, ensuring that every decision serves the community, not vested interests or political agendas.
Nathan holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, a postgraduate certificate in Data Analytics, and is in the final stages of his Masters of Business Administration. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Denman Prospect.
Independents for Canberra have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Gwenda Griffiths (Animal Justice Party)
Gwenda qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate.
Dr Gwenda Griffiths has been a Canberra local for nearly fifty years. Guided by a strong sense of justice and equality, Gwenda was devastated to witness Red Hill roos being shot for the first time in the annual government-sanctioned kangaroo cull. As an active member of Save Canberra’s Kangaroos, Gwenda knows that the reality of the yearly slaughter is more horrific than most people realise, and is determined to bring permanent protections to the area’s native wildlife.
Having worked in the ACT health system for many years, Dr Griffiths is aware of the significant challenges that patients face in trying to access the public hospital system. Currently a GP, Medical Coordinator for Breast Screen NSW, and holding Visiting Medical Officer surgical positions at various hospitals, Dr Griffiths has a broad understanding of the relationships between physical and mental health, and the environment we live in. It is this experience as a Primary Care Physician that leads Gwenda to champion a public health overhaul. She says that the same government has run the same system for over twenty years, and she will campaign on a platform demanding significant reform to ensure the public health system is fit-for-purpose and accessible to the entire community.
As a single parent and working mother to three girls over the last decade, Gwenda is committed to representing her local community at the upcoming ACT Legislative Assembly election. Standing as an Animal Justice Party candidate, she will advocate for a public Veticare system to establish a subsidised veterinary care program for low-income earners, pensioners and animal carers — simultaneously easing the cost of living and ensuring all animals receive the veterinary care they deserve.
In addition, Gwenda is passionate about ensuring that native wildlife habitats are protected from property development – and says that the government has a lot to answer for when it comes to habitat destruction and urban sprawl.
“I couldn’t be prouder to represent the Animal Justice Party, with the core values of kindness and rationality. There is a severe shortage of these values reflected in the ACT Parliament – so it’s time for decision-makers who are willing to lead with compassion and integrity.”
Animal Justice Party have fully endorsed the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord.
Michael Brewer (Greens)
I am thrilled to be one of your support candidates for Murrumbidgee in this election. As a member of Generation Z, I am running because I am deeply motivated to minimise the impacts of the climate crisis and help shape a climate-resilient Canberra. I believe that to achieve this, we must reshape our society to prioritise people over corporations and the planet over profits. As a proudly out bisexual man, I am passionate about addressing the challenges faced by our community and working with the progressive movement to ensure all voices within the queer community are represented.
Since moving to Canberra in 2018, I have been actively involved with the Greens and was a candidate in the 2020 election. Having studied at ANU, I have spent the past two and a half years working in the circular economy industry, directly contributing to reducing methane emissions from waste. This experience has provided me with firsthand knowledge in areas such as circular economy, business, innovation, and agriculture. The suburbs of Murrumbidgee have already felt the real impacts of the climate crisis through devastating fires, and it is vital that we work together to build a climate-resilient community—whether in the older suburbs or the newer housing estates in the Molonglo Valley.
As one of your candidates for Murrumbidgee, I will be a voice for young people who want to see an end to the housing and climate crises and aspire to live in a Canberra where no one is left behind. Change is possible, but only if you vote for it.
Sam Carter (Greens)
I’m one of your Greens candidates for Murrumbidgee in the upcoming Territory election. Since 2017, I have proudly called Canberra home, having moved here from Southeast Queensland to access our world-class sports training and support facilities. I’ve had the honor of representing Australia at the Rio and Tokyo Paralympics and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where I won a bronze medal. Throughout my journey, I’ve shared my story with schools, sports teams, and professional audiences, connecting with a wide range of people.
For too long, corporate interests and a lack of genuine action on the housing and cost of living crises—disproportionately impacting marginalised groups—have weakened the ability of the Labor and Liberal parties to truly advocate for Australians. I am deeply passionate about policies that support disabled people, ensuring they can live with dignity and have the same opportunities as everyone else. As a lifelong Greens voter, I’ve stepped up to be one of your candidates for Murrumbidgee to push for real solutions to the cost of living and housing crises. As a renter, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges faced by renters, especially those with disabilities, in finding safe, affordable, and accessible housing.
Emma Davidson (Greens)
I’m your Greens MLA for Murrumbidgee. In 2024 I am excited to announce I will be running again to continue to represent our community
For almost 30 years I have called the suburbs of Murrumbidgee my home. I love this electorate for its mix of everything Canberra has to offer: built heritage and new development, nature parks and beautiful green spaces, and incredible nature reserves like Red Hill.
I’ve spent much of my career fighting for Women’s rights, working in social research and advocacy at the Women’s Centre for Health matters, at the Equality Rights alliance, and as Convenor of the Women’s Electoral Lobby. In addition, I’ve managed online communications for the Australian Medical Association, been Director of Information Management at the Navy, worked in private sector software development, owned and managed a small retail business, and spent seven years working at Centrelink.
My time as a member of Woden Valley Community Council and Secretary at the Pearce Community Centre has taught me that we have to secure the right infrastructure for our communities as the population grows and the climate changes. This includes schools, healthcare, sports, and arts facilities and a highly effective and accessible public transport network, as well as universal access to safe, secure, sustainable and affordable housing.
Since 2020 It’s been my honour to serve as a Minister in the ACT Government, fighting for vulnerable populations in Disability, Youth Justice, Population Health, Corrections, Mental Health and more. We made history to elect 6 Greens MLAs last election, and we’ve shown since then that pressure works. But there’s still so much work to do. That’s why I’m proud to be standing for re-election as your MLA for Murrumbidgee
Harini Rangarajan (Greens)
I was born in Chennai India, with my family splitting our time between there and Canberra until finally settling down in Rivett in 2018. Growing up in India I witnessed dire economic inequality and its consequences in the form of natural disasters and poverty. That drove me to protest against climate change and against predatory organisations desecrating indigenous customs in India, causes which I champion here in our city as well.
Murrumbidgee is my home, I’m deeply involved in my community at the Mawson Temple, and I went to Orana Steiner in Weston Creek for year 11 and 12. Right now I’m a finance student at the ANU. This electorate is home to mountain ranges and forests which house vast amounts of natural beauty. It also is diverse in its population with families from various walks of life and culture backgrounds settling here for the amenities it has to offer.
I strongly believe that the climate crisis is the most pressing threat to our planet and our people at this moment. It is one that is fuelled by exploitation of the working class at the hands of the greedy elite. In addition, I see a gap in our lawmakers, that they don’t reflect young and diverse voices from the diverse cultural backgrounds that call Canberra home. That drove me to be involved in politics and now, to run as one of your Greens candidates in Murrumbidgee.
The ACT Greens made history in 2020 by electing 6 MLAs, but there’s still so much more work to do. Join me and my campaign team this election to fight for a better, greener future for Murrumbidgee and Canberra.
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(If you would prefer to speak with a human please call: 0427 580 803)
Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.
