The state government has set a housing target of 800,000 new homes in Victoria over the next decade and has proposed sweeping changes to planning rules, which will affect Kooyong residents.

The housing affordability crisis is severe, particularly for low income and first home buyers. This crisis cannot be solved without increasing the supply of new housing, including affordable housing.

This housing crisis has been years in the making, due to the failure of the major parties and all three levels of government to plan for our housing needs. I welcome initiatives to address the housing affordability crisis but there are serious shortcomings with the state government's approach, particularly in relation to the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre.

An update on Victorian planning reforms

The Victorian Government aims for 60,000 new homes to be built in 10 'activity centres' close to public transport, jobs, and services. To facilitate these plans, zoning rules and height restrictions will be revised for new builds. 

Camberwell Junction has been identified as one of 10 Major Activity Centres for fast-track implementation of new planning controls.

Boroondara Council held a community forum on the Victorian Government’s proposed changes to planning on Sunday 15 September. I attended the forum along with dozens of other local residents. Many voiced concerns about the lack of transparency and information from the state government and lack of genuine consultation with affected communities.

Constituents tell me every day that they want government action to address the housing crisis, including greater investment in more housing, especially public, social and affordable housing. We need to create a housing system that enables essential workers to live close to their workplaces, that ensures that vulnerable people including retirees can afford a roof over their head, and to ensure that young people can realise the Australian dream of home ownership.

However, communities also need to be consulted on issues that impact them. Our community wants honest answers from the Victorian government about the impact of the new planning rules on local infrastructure including roads and schools, on green spaces and tree canopy, and on heritage protection. And our community wants a commitment to ensure that these plans will include the provision of affordable housing.

So far, we are not getting these answers. That's why I'm lobbying the Victorian Government and Minister for Planning to ensure that Kooyong residents have their voices heard on planning issues, including the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre and the future of the former VicRoads site in Kew.

To see my letter to the Victorian Planning Minister, regarding the Camberwell Activity Centre, click here.

To read a summary of the discussion at the community meeting I hosted regarding plans for redevelopment of the old VicRoads site in Kew, click here.

To share your feedback about the plans for the Camberwell Activity Centre or on housing affordability issues more generally, please email my office at [email protected].

Gender equity

We've had some good wins for gender equity in recent weeks. 

We made important legislative inroads for gender equity in Parliament. There is a serious gender superannuation gap in this country -- women retire with about one-third less super than men, on average. Our current tax and childcare policies disincentivise full workforce participation for all parents. That is why I was so proud to support and pass legislation that will provide superannuation for paid parental leave recipients with children born on or after 1 July 2025.

Click here to watch my full speech on the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024.

The federal parliament also passed an immensely important law that will mean women who experience discrimination or harassment at work will be able to seek justice in court.

Previously, for most people who had experienced sexual harassment and discrimination, the possibility of huge legal costs deterred them from seeking justice in court. This has forced too many women into silence. The statistics speak for themselves: one in three people report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace (with women vastly overrepresented in this figure), but only a tiny percentage of cases proceed to court.

This was brought to my attention by legal experts in 2022 and together we crafted an amendment to change the law. My amendment was not initially accepted by the Attorney-General, so we then worked with the cross bench in the Senate, securing a Senate Inquiry which also supported the proposal.

After two years of struggle, I'm really pleased that my amendment has finally been successful. Changes to the law will ensure that people who experience discrimination or harassment at work will be able to seek justice in court. It’s a testament to how Independents on the cross bench can work to make evidence-based, positive change.

It was a privilege to walk with Kooyong locals in Deepdene at the 'Women Walk the Night', a local event inspired by a global movement advocating for women’s safety. While enjoying each other's company, we also reflected on women’s safety in the neighbourhood and the role of public spaces, infrastructure and lighting after dark.

There is still much work to be done to improve gender equity in this country, and I will continue to advocate for safety, respect, and equality for women.

Pop-up offices

Pop-up offices are a wonderful opportunity to meet with the residents of Kooyong and to hear about the issues they care about. Housing affordability and HECS are huge areas of concern for our community, along with cost of living pressures. I’m working hard to deliver better outcomes for my constituents and for all Australians by holding the government to account on these critical issues.

Click here to watch my question to the Minister for Education on what Labor is doing about the unfair cost of arts, business, economics, and law degrees.

I also continue to meet with residents in the new electoral boundaries of Kooyong: Armadale, Malvern, Prahran, and Toorak. While the redistribution won't take effect until the federal election, I’m keen to get out into the community and engage with new Kooyong constituents.

Click here to for a list of my upcoming Pop-Up Offices!

The past fortnight in Kooyong

I've had a great time out and about, including Spring Lunch with the Kew Rovers Football Club and celebrating youth inclusion and diversity in sport with the Burwood Cricket Club.

Other highlights included speaking at the 19^th Camberwell Scout Group awards presentation, and speaking at the Marcellin Business & Community Network Breakfast.

Just last weekend I attended the opening for the new National Communication Museum in Hawthorn.

This is the first time a new museum has opened in Victoria in 25 years! Considering the rapidly evolving nature of technology, and its widespread influence on our lives (including on politics), this museum is a fantastic resource.

Upcoming events

October Town Hall: Social media bans and young people

I'm hosting my next Town Hall on Saturday 26 October from 2:30 - 4 PM at Malvern Town Hall (1251 High Street, Malvern VIC 3144). I'll be joined by Member for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, and 6 News presenter, Leo Puglisi, for a discussion about the Government's proposed social media bans for young people. 

Click here to register your interest in my upcoming Town Hall Blocked: Social media bans and young people.

I would love to see good representation of young people at this event. If you know any 12 to 25-year-olds, please share this invitation with them or bring them along. To ensure we prioritize the participation of young people, we will ask you your age when you register your interest in the event, and will confirm ticket allocations in due course.

Lighter Footprints Boroondara Candidates Forum:

Lighter Footprints is a local community organisation leading on climate action within the Boroondara and Whitehorse councils.

They are running a Boroondara Council Candidates Forum on 8 October at 7:30 PM via Zoom to inform voters on where their local council candidates stand on climate in the lead up to local council elections.

Click here to RSVP for the Boroondara Council Candidates Forum to receive the Zoom link!

Veteran Photography Exhibition:

The Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch is hosting a Veteran Photography Exhibition featuring works by veteran photographers to display their skill and talent to the community. All are welcome to attend the exhibition from 25 – 27 October, at the Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch (605 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn).