OUTSTANDING GREEN LIGHT CANDIDATES

Click on the link to see their profile or scroll down.

Wayne Taylor

GREEN LIGHT CANDIDATES

Rohan Tyler

Manal Bahsa

To give everyone an idea of what the two Federal Traffic Light Voting Guides will look like, scroll down below to mock-ups from the 2022 Federal Election for the Bradfield House of Representatives seat and the Victorian Senate vacancies .

Both your local, and state or territory senate 2025 Traffic Light Voting Guides will be not be published on each electorate page until after the ballot draw in late April. In the meantime you can learn about how to effectively use Traffic Light Voting Guides for the upcoming Federal election by watching our video and familiarising yourself with its instructions.

Scroll further down this page to learn more about the Green Light candidates in Bendigo.

Green Light Candidates

Wayne Taylor (LCP)

Wayne qualifies as an Outstanding Green Light Candidate

Wayne Taylor has been a passionate advocate for adult-use cannabis for many years. His commitment to legalising cannabis began from the very first moment he experienced its effects – an experience that inspired a lifelong mission to end prohibition.

Wayne played a key role on the steering committee that registered the Legalise Cannabis Party Victoria. He worked tirelessly to build support, using social media platforms to drive membership and awareness.

His first step into politics was as the second Senate candidate for Victoria in the May 2022 federal election, standing under the newly rebranded HEMP Party – now known as the Legalise Cannabis Party. He ran again in November 2022 for the seat of Bendigo West in the Victorian state election.

While Wayne is passionate about a range of political issues, it was the injustice of cannabis prohibition that drew him into the political arena. With a background in real estate and small business management, he brings practical knowledge and a results-driven approach to everything he does.

Wayne believes that legalising cannabis could help Australia reclaim its reputation as the lucky country.

LCP endorses the 3R’s and supports the Climate Rescue Accord

Rohan Tyler (Victorian Socialists)

I’m a proud socialist and a young person born and raised in the Bendigo region – working and studying here.

As a young person I am uniquely affected by the growing housing crisis. Many young people struggle even to enter the rental market and the prospect of ever owning a house is becoming more distant by the day. We desperately need an expanded public housing sector that can actually provide for people currently struggling with housing insecurity or homelessness.

The growth of the far right in Australia and internationally is a big concern for many people of my generation – particularly those within the queer community. Trans rights are being stripped away by right-wing parties including the Liberals while trans kids are facing constant attacks from right-wing politicians and media – leading to lifelong mental health struggles.

The rights of workers are also under attack. Billionaires and the super-rich exercise unfair influence over our political system – entrenching exploitation, wage theft and poor conditions with the support of their paid political servants in the major parties.

Workers create all the wealth that’s enriching those at the top of society. Meanwhile, they lecture us about the need for “wage constraint” while profiteering from their control of essential resources and services. Increased unionisation of workers and the establishment of greater democracy at a workplace level is the only way to combat the one-sided class war being waged against us.

I’m also passionate about addressing the climate crisis. The Liberals ignore this entirely, while Labor offers only band-aid solutions that do nothing real to limit emissions. It’s the working class that will bear the brunt of climate change, not those who are responsible for it. The economic burden of dealing with the climate and environmental crisis must fall primarily on those who have profited from destroying the environment: the big polluters and other major corporations.

By running as a Victorian Socialists candidate in this election I hope to shake up the kind of ‘politics as usual’ that has brought us to a point where my generation has little hope for the future. Australia is among the richest countries on Earth – we can afford to build a more just, equal and sustainable society where everyone has a chance at a decent life.

To do that though we need to get organised and fight back. Our campaign in Bendigo will be a small step in that direction. Get involved!

Manal Bahsa (Greens)

I’m a local parent, community organiser, activist, and photographer passionate about creating a fairer, more sustainable future for Bendigo. Growing up here and now raising my child in this community, I’ve witnessed the challenges we face—from skyrocketing rents and housing insecurity to the mental health crisis and climate inaction.

Over the past year, my journey in grassroots activism has inspired me to take on a leadership role. I’ve worked with movements for climate justice, Indigenous rights, and human rights, including supporting the Free Palestine movement. These experiences have shown me the power of community-led change and the urgent need for leadership that prioritises equity, sustainability, and compassion.

I’m committed to amplifying the voices of Bendigo’s multicultural and indigenous communities, queer individuals, and those facing systemic pressures. If you want to build a future that leaves no one behind, then Vote 1 Greens.