OUTSTANDING GREEN LIGHT CANDIDATES

Rachael Blackwood

GREEN LIGHT CANDIDATES

Stephen Bates

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You can learn about how to effectively use Traffic Light Voting Guides for the upcoming Federal election by following this link to our video and familiarising yourself with its instructions:

Here’s how you can make climate a compelling issue locally.

Hand out Traffic Light A5 How to Vote cards at polling booths. Phone or text 0427 580 803 to arrange for print ready artwork tailored for your electorate. You can then print the How to Vote card using your home printer or for larger numbers use the services of a commercial printer.

This is particularly effective to help add extra reach to Green Light independent campaigns and draw in swinging voters. Vote Climate One’s assessment of candidates has the elevated status of being fiercely independent.

Check out our how our team Federally assesses Candidates and Parties

Green Light Candidates

Rachael Blackwood (Fusion)

Rachael qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

I believe in a future where sustainability isn’t an afterthought but a foundation for economic and social progress. A future where survivors and perpetrators of family, domestic and sexual violence have access to the right support, where ethical businesses are empowered to lead the way, and where our critical infrastructure—like renewable energy and water security—is a national priority. I am advocating for policies that make Australia greener, safer, and stronger for generations to come.

Bio

After 20 years of working in customer service and the IT Service Management field across federal and state government and private industry, Rachael is an emerging political voice championing policies that support our local community. She focuses on sustainability, investing in critical infrastructure, and creating a fairer, more inclusive future. She believes in a government lead by everyday people like you and her that prioritises action over rhetoric, ensuring the Brisbane community, businesses, families, and individuals have the resources they need to thrive.

Rachael comes to politics as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and lived experience of domestic violence and the devasting experience of navigating the justice system as a victim. She advocates for family, domestic and sexual violence reform, sustainability practises, and is dedicated to driving ethical, community-focused change. 

As the founder of a sustainable fashion label, she has firsthand experience in building ethical, low-waste businesses while advocating for survivor-centered policies that support those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Through her career, she has developed a deep understanding of Australia’s critical infrastructure, problem-solving, and proactive engagement of stakeholders to drive positive outcomes.

Policies

Tackling Housing Affordability Crisis and Homelessness

• Advocate for large-scale investment in public and affordable housing to ensure every Australian has access to safe and secure accommodation.
• Pushing for stronger rental protections to prevent exploitation and displacement.
• Support policies that provide housing-first solutions for people experiencing homelessness, ensuring there is supporting services for mental health, employment, and social support.

Survivor-Centred Policies & Social Support Systems 

• Advocate for stronger protections and accessible support services for survivors of family, domestic, and sexual violence, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to justice and recovery.
• Push for economic policies that provide secure housing, employment pathways, and financial independence for survivors, reducing systemic barriers that keep them vulnerable.
• Support for implementing policies and frameworks to prevent FDSV through education and services for offenders, or at-risk offenders.

Investment in Renewable Energy and Critical Infrastructure 

• Push for large-scale investment in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind to accelerate Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.
• Advocate for improved water security through sustainable wastewater management, desalination projects, and climate-adaptive infrastructure to safeguard communities from drought and climate change impacts.

The Fusion Party endorses the 3R’s and supports the Climate Rescue Accord

Stephen Bates (Greens)

I was elected in the federal election on 21 May 2022, and I hold the Australian Greens’ portfolios of LGBTIQA+ and Youth. I graduated UQ with a Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Social and Public Policy. 

My interest in politics began when, while studying, I took an opportunity to work in the United States.

In the US, I experienced the consequences of a government that legislates people into poverty. I walked into the store room at my workplace. One of my co-workers was crying because she had to make a decision – pay for her insulin or her rent. I comforted her but I knew that there was nothing I could do. At this moment, a fire was lit inside of me, and I knew I had to make sure this situation could never happen to anyone back home in Australia.

I joined the Greens on the night of the 2019 Federal election, and forged an extraordinary grassroots campaign to win the seat of Brisbane.

Now, as your MP, I fight for everyday people and our communities, because I refuse corporate donations and I’m not beholden to their interests. 

My top priorities:

> Creating affordable, safe housing for all and enshrining robust renters rights.

> Tackling the climate crisis with 100% renewable energy by 2030, rebooting QLD manufacturing with solar panels, wind turbines, and green steel, and investing in public transport and high speed rail.

> Expanding our health system to fully cover dental and mental healthcare into Medicare.

> Getting corporate money out of politics by banning corporate donations and establishing a gold standard Federal ICAC to hold politicians to account.

> Ensuring that our country puts people before profits, be it in the fight against climate change and bad developments like Brisbane Airport’s new flight paths, or in the struggle for healthcare access and free education.

TRAFFIC LIGHT VOTING GUIDE ASSESSMENT WARNING

The team at Vote Climate One may change our Traffic Light voting advice right up to shortly before election day. For instance it is very difficult to access ranking information from parties or candidates who have no public email, phone number or little internet profile. In these cases, we apply the precautionary principle with a Red Light ranking until further information and commitment to climate rescue comes to hand.

Please contact us if you have local information which could effect our rankings. Phone Rob 0n 0427 580 803

The major parties have let the Australian public down when it comes a serious policy commitment to action on the ecological and climate crisis. Consequently, we have assessed both the Labor party and the Coalition as Red Light parties. Nevertheless, in relation to our Traffic Light Voting guides, the Labor party has been ranked orange ahead of the Coalition which remains a stubborn Red Light proposition.

The House of Representitives

Labor is ranked Orange for the House of Reps. The opportunity for a Green Transition, sparked by the influence of a progressive cross bench holding the balance of power in a Labor minority government, is our bet bet for climate rescue.

The Senate

Likewise our senate Traffic Light Voting Guides also promote Labor ahead of the Coalition using an Orange Light status. This stategy will help discourage the worst senario for climate action which would result from a combative Coalition/right wing party majority in the senate.