Jessica O’Donnell - Labor

Jessica O’Donnell is no stranger to the political scene and she has set her standards high.

The former Baw Baw Shire councillor knows how important it is to engage with her community

and she aims to build on her 29.5 per cent primary vote of the 2019 election.

She knows winning a safe Liberal seat will be tough, but she assures the electorate she is the “real deal.”

“There is disillusionment and that’s why I want people to know I’m running a grass roots campaign.

While supporting ALP policies, Ms O’Donnell’s priority for Monash is delivering her “Jess only project” which is a community infrastructure audit.

“I want to look at every piece of infrastructure that needs to be delivered from sporting pavilions to getting an oven for a community hall.

“If it’s something the community use and it needs to be funded then I want to know about it. Then there is a list for government and philanthropist grant funding and we can let them know grants are available.

“That is the sort of thing that makes a huge impact on communities.”

Major road projects and large scale infrastructure for West Gippsland’s growing community will be at the top of Ms O’Donnell’s advocacy.

Whether it is a federal or state government project, she said she would pursue opportunities for funding collaboration between all levels of government whether it be for a new Warragul hospital, a civic precinct or road improvements.

From childcare to aged care, Ms O’Donnell is committed to fighting for and endorsing ALP policies that will benefit the community.

She said a $5.4 billion commitment to increase the childcare subsidy would directly benefit 4000 families in Monash.

She said it was all about lifting the subsidies for people who needed it most and reducing childcare waiting lists to make it easier for working families.

Ms O’Donnell said aged care was something many people were concerned about – “not just the horrendous stories we hear of our residents, family and workers, but the whole system.”

She said the Royal Commission had established there were not enough resources for staff to provide the care they want.

Ms O’Donnell said the ALP was committed to 215 minutes of care per day, wage rise for staff, transparency in reporting, 24/7 registered nurses on site and nutritional meals.

In healthcare, the ALP has promised to bring back bulk billed telehealth psychiatric sessions. “That will have a huge impact for mental health patients because it’s so difficult to access.”

Ms O’Donnell said climate change was real and she supported the ALP’s target of zero net emissions by 2050. “But we need to start pushing for it and planning it now- so we can start in 2040.

“There are so many opportunities for jobs and growth in a transition to a renewable energy market and we need to be advocating to make sure the Latrobe Valley benefits from that.

“We’ve got the resources, skills, industrial land and infrastructure to facilitate that. When we think of solar panels and wind turbines they are jobs that can be done here.”

Ms O’Donnell supports establishment of an Independent Commision Against Corruption at a federal level. “It’s about ensuring everyone is held to account. We need people to start trusting in democracy again, it’s so vital to integrity and politics.”