TWiSK invited every candidate to respond to a questionnaire with five simple biographical questions, in no more than 50 words each.
If candidates met this simple brief, we agreed to publish their answers as written, along with a photograph and contact details.
Their responses are presented below in alphabetical order by family name as they are received.
Colleen Bolger, Victorian Socialists (no info yet received)
Andrew Cook, Liberal (no info yet received)
Georgie Dragwidge, Independent
Tammy Lindrum, One Nation
Sonya Semmens, Greens
Nina Taylor, Labor MP
Georgie Dragwidge
Local independent candidate
Who am I?
Local independent small business owner
I own and run Georgie’s Harvest at the South Melbourne Market, where I’ve been a stallholder for 15 years. I’m also a mother, and hold my family connections tight. My Greek immigrant parents helped make me a hardworking and grounded person today.
Why here?
Every working day I speak to hundreds of Albert Park residents from every walk of life. Like so many of you, I am frustrated by the failure of those in power to properly listen to our electorate and make the real changes our community wants and needs.
What do you hope to achieve?
It’s time for change. Political parties are looking after their own interests and agendas. We need a local representative to advocate for the needs and interests of this community. I’m in touch with the people of Albert Park. I’ll make sure our interests are heard in every issue and debate.
What are my top concerns?
My priorities are:-
- Community safety – EVERYONE deserves to feel safe at home and on the street.
- Greater transparency and integrity in Victorian politics
- Support for small businesses
- Environmental protection and Climate Action – both globally and locally, right here in Albert Park.
- Consulting with and promoting the interests of local residents
Why vote for me?
Local and independent
My working life has been spent amongst ordinary Victorians. I hear your concerns daily. I will address them as a truly independent representative. I do not live in a political bubble and am not answerable to backroom officials, lobbyists, donors, or powerbrokers. Only to the people of Albert Park.
Contact details
www.georgie4albertpark.com.au|
Facebook & Instagram – georgie4albertpark
hello@georgie4albertpark.com.au
Authorised by: Georgie Dragwidge (322 Coventry St South Melbourne 3205)
Tammy Lindrum
One Nation candidate for Albert Park
Who am I?
I’m Tammy Lindrum, great-niece of Australian sporting great Walter Lindrum, and One Nation candidate for Albert Park. My family has lived locally for a century, with Walter’s memorabilia at the MCG Sporting Hall of Fame. I care about our community and will give residents a strong, authentic voice in Parliament.
Why am I standing here?
Families and small businesses are struggling with rising costs, taxes, housing pressures and government debt. Hardworking Australians deserve better. The COVID Debt Levy and growing government burdens make it harder to employ, invest and get ahead. Labor is complacent; it’s time for change. I’ll fight for common sense.
What do I want to achieve?
I want a stronger voice for families, workers and small businesses. I’ll work to reduce unnecessary taxes and government costs, support local businesses, improve housing affordability, restore accountability and common sense, strengthen community safety, and help hardworking Australians build a solid, secure future.
What are my top concerns?
My priorities are cost of living, housing and energy affordability; public safety and reducing crime; Fishermans Bend infrastructure, including the tram, university and hospital; support for small business; overcrowded local schools; bringing back cruise ships; and reducing port fees, currently the highest in the world under Labor.
Why Vote For Me?
Government should work for you, not against you. I’ll fight for families facing rising costs, small businesses battling taxes and red tape, and Australians struggling to get ahead. I’ll be a strong voice for Albert Park, demanding accountability, lower costs and common-sense policies. I won’t promise what I can’t deliver.
Email albertpark@vic.onenation.org.au
Phone 9967 0663
facebook.com/TammyLindrum.PHON
Authorised by Warren Pickering Victorian State President of One Nation
Sonya Semmens
Greens for Albert Park
Who am I?
Hello, I’m Sonya the Green!
You might remember me from the federal election. I’m a small-business owner, charity consultant and local mum. I think we deserve real representation, not politicians who are only in it for themselves – which is why I knocked on so many doors last year (90k!) to come and meet everyone.
Why here?
We live in the best place in the world.
This community has given my family a welcoming place to call home. Our children have grown up here, go to school here, and are becoming independent here! So it’s vital to me that our neighbourhoods, public transport, parks and rec spaces stay safe, clean, green and beautiful.
What do you hope to achieve?
Thriving neighbourhoods and vibrant spaces!
Our home by the bay is very special, but our way of life is under threat. Instead of making bills cheaper and streets safer, the government fast-tracked a hyperscale AI Data Centre that puts our water, power and safety at risk. They sold us down the river. We deserve better.
What are my top concerns?
Families are under pressure
Empty shops, small businesses failing, rising homelessness, families struggling with skyrocketing bills, crime and antisocial behaviour are all a direct result of the government failing to act on the cost of living crisis and fund essential services. We need to fix the rot at the root.
Why vote for me?
I don’t take dirty money so only I can do what’s needed.
Both major parties and One Nation are funded by vested interests. I’m backed by our neighbours giving small donations, which means only I can stop supermarket price-gouging, tax big banks and gas corporations, and fight the AI Data Centre boom. I’ll work for our community and our future.
Contact details
instagram.com/sonya_semmens/
facebook.com/SonyaSemmensGreens
bsky.app/profile/sonyasemmens.bsky.social
sonya.semmens@vic.greens.org.au
Authorised by: Martin Shield, Victorian Greens, Suite 1.05, Level 1, 50 Queen Street, Melbourne.
Nina Taylor
Labor Member for the seat of Albert Park
Who am I?
I am the current Labor MP for Albert Park, and Cabinet Secretary – elected in 2022. I have held Parliamentary Secretary roles for Health, Training & Skills, Justice and Education. From 2018 – 2022, I was an Upper House MP for the Southern Metropolitan Region, and have been Government Whip. (B.A. LLB, Post Grad Dip. Ed, fluent in French and German languages).
Why here?
I live locally in Southbank. I used to do ballet classes at the National Theatre Ballet School. My parents regularly took my brother and I to Acland St, St Kilda for dinners at the former Scheherazade restaurant, and polish cakes. This electorate boasts one of the highest densities of Arts organisations in the world, Albert Park & lake, beautiful beaches, and closely connected neighborhoods.
What do you hope to achieve?
The delivery of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation (underway) will deliver 18,000 m2 greenspace; more social housing on allocated Crown land, the City Road Undercroft upgrades (combined project), enhanced walkability, more Public Transport and road safety upgrades, further community sporting facilities, upgrades for St Kilda Park PS, biodiversity enhancements for Albert Park (the park) – and I’ll have more to announce shortly.
What are my top concerns?
When I visit schools and talk to parents, and community organisations in our area, people tell me that cost of living is a key issue, including housing affordability, along with community safety, health & mental health, education, a vibrant live music scene, reducing energy emissions and energy efficiency, recycling and protecting our environment.
Why vote for me?
I believe in action, not words. I’ve delivered the refurbished St Kilda Pier, new and upgraded schools, sporting pavillions, more than 1,500 additional bus services, social housing and major community upgrades. But there’s more to do on cost of living, safety, health, education, diversity and our environment. Only Labor delivers for working Victorians.
Contact details
ninataylormp@gmail.com
Instagram: ninataylormp
Facebook: Nina Taylor MP
Authorised by Steve Staikos, 438 Docklands Drive, Docklands, 3008.
