COOTAMUNDRA-raised mother of three Michelle Milthorpe will contest the seat of Farrer as a independent candidate for the next Federal election.
Endorsed by Voices of Farrer, Ms Milthrope aims to run on a platform of social justice and equity.
“In the 21st century, regional Australians shouldn’t have to beg for basics such as safer roads, reliable telecommunications and access to quality healthcare,” she said.
“My empathy and strong sense of social justice means I will work hard to fight for what our communities need.”
She has lived within the Farrer electorate for more than 20 years, currently works as a teacher in Wodonga, and has a proven track record of campaigning for societal change.
Ms Milthorpe was a successful advocate for law reform, as she and her family members, alongside survivor advocate Nina Funnell, lobbied to allow victim-survivors of child sexual abuse to provide pre-recorded evidence in court, without the presence of a jury.
The push resulted in $64.3 million of funding to extend the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Scheme in New South Wales for four years, making the option available to children in every district court and police region.
Ms Milthorpe said she was solutions-focused and wanted voters to see parts of themselves reflected back in her actions, both in words and decision making.
“I never considered myself a politician, however, I felt there was a need for a genuine, present and reliable representative,” she said.
“I want to be a genuine representative of the people, someone who reflects the values of the electorate, stands up for regional communities and delivers outcomes for them.”
She said the benefit of independent politics is the ability to have discussions with people from all walks of life and all parts of the political spectrum.
“As an independent member, the only people that I am accountable to are my constituents,” Ms Milthorpe said.
“I am not obliged to be aligned to other independents nor will I be tied to political parties, because my representation is about the people in the electorate that I live in.”
Announcing her candidacy today, Ms Milthorpe plans to visit communities throughout Farrer, and listen and learn from residents in each town and city.
She was intent on further growing her understanding of the issues impacting people’s ability to live their best lives, and hoped to develop solutions in collaboration with community members.
The seat of Farrer has been held by Liberal MP Sussan Ley since 2001, and at the last seven elections Ms Ley has held Farrer by a comfortable two-party preferred margin of more than 10 per cent.
