Election key dates
Enrolment closes at 8 pm on Monday 7 April 2025. Enrol on line
Applications for postal votes are now open. Apply for a postal vote
Candidate nominations close Thursday 10 April 2025
Early voting begins 22 April 2025.
Postal voting closes 6 pm local time 30 April 2025.
Election day is Saturday 3 May 2025.
Macnamara is our local seat in Federal Parliament
The Electoral Division of Macnamara was first used in the 2019 Federal election, replacing the former seat of Melbourne Ports.
Macnamara is named in honour of Dame Annie Jean Macnamara DBE, 1899–1968. She was a medical researcher and doctor who discovered there was more than one type of the polio virus.
Division of Macnamara includes voters living in the Port Phillip Council area, plus parts of Glen Eira Council, Melbourne Council, and Stonnington Council areas.
There are just under 100,000 voters in the Division.
In the 2022 election, the ALP, Liberal and Greens candidates each received just under a third of the vote. Labor’s Josh Burns was elected with a two-candidate preferred vote of 62%, above the Liberal Collen Harkin’s 38%.
The 2022 result was a finally a battle between ALP and Greens with the outcome determined by preferences.
Half Senate election
The terms of six Victorian Senators will expire on 30 June 2025. If they want to continue they must nominate for election at the 3 May poll.
The senators facing expiry or re-election are:
Hume, J. LP
Hodgins-May, S AG
Paterson, J. LP
Ciccone, R. ALP
Van, D.A. IND
Walsh, J.C. ALP
Source: APH
Candidate supplied information
In alphabetical order
All candidates were asked to respond to a simple biographical questionnaire with word limits. Their responses are published in full. All candidates are invited to submit (within the format)
Josh Burns
Australian Labor Party (ALP)
Who am I?
I was born and raised locally, and since 2019 I have had the privilege of representing our community as the member for Macnamara. I currently chair the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Why?
I want every member of our community to have the same opportunities our country provided to my family – a safe home, world-class education, free healthcare and secure work. I also am passionate about being a strong voice in Canberra on climate action.
Why me?
I will always stand up for what’s right, not what’s easy. For the past five years as your local member, that’s what I have done.
I have advocated for housing affordability, stood up for meaningful climate action, and pushed back against vilification and discrimination of our diverse community.
Why here?
My grandparents came to Australia in search of safety, freedom and equality. They found that and so much more right here in Macnamara. This has always been my home, and I love living in the heart of our community.
What do I hope to achieve?
Cost of living: I have worked to help deliver tax-cuts, paid-parental leave, cheaper medicines and changes to student debt. My number one priority is easing the cost of living.
Climate: I am proud to be part of a government which has delivered the greatest investment in renewable energy. Peter Dutton wants us to go back to climate wars, and we can’t let that happen.
Housing: After a decade of inaction by coalition governments, Australia has a housing shortage. Our government has made the largest ever investment in social and affordable housing.
A home isn’t just a roof over your head, it’s a fundamental human right.
Contact or follow me:
Phone: (03) 9534 8126
Email: josh.burns.mp@aph.gov.au
Socials: @Joshburnsmp
Benson Saulo
Liberal
Who am I?
I am a descendant of the Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara Aboriginal Nations of Western Victoria and New Ireland Province of PNG. I am a husband, father of three, and Elwood local. My leadership in the not-for-profit sector has been recognised as a finalist for Young Australian of the Year (VIC), and the Australian Human Rights Medal for Young People.
Why?
I am a strong believer in empowering local voices to inform policy, and drive meaningful outcomes across communities. As a local I want to ensure Macnamara is safe, vibrant and thriving.
Why me?
I have represented Australia at the United Nations, and as a Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner based in the US – the first Indigenous person to hold this position in Australia’s history. My 15-year professional career spans economic development, community impact and finance. I believe my experience and community connection enable me to be an impactful representative for Macnamara..
Why here?
My wife and I have built our life in Macnamara. I proposed to my wife in Albert Park Village, played footy for Powerhouse, and our young children attend schools in Elwood. Macnamara is a diverse, entrepreneurial and aspirational community. This is why people of all ages and walks of life choose to live, work and own a business in Macnamara, and why I would be proud to be the local voice for our community.
What do I hope to achieve?
The top three issues that I’m hearing from locals are housing affordability, rising cost of living, and community safety. These resonate with me deeply.
That’s why my priorities are to:
Ease our housing crisis and revive the dream of home ownership
Lower the cost of living and restore confidence in our economy; and
Make our communities safe, vibrant and thriving
Contacts me
Website: Benson Saulo – Liberal for Macnamara
Email: benson.saulo@vic.liberal.org.au
Facebook & Instagram: @bensonsaulomacnamara
Sonya Semmens
Greens
Who am I?:
I’m a local mum and small business owner, living in Middle Park with my partner, four kids (blended family) and enthusiastic golden retriever. We rent above our landlady, who makes delicious koulourakia! I’ve worked in the charity sector for 25 years, building safe and prosperous communities.
Why?
So many of us are doing it tough, when we shouldn’t be. Our community is hard-working, creative and clever – I know because we’ve knocked on over 33k doors, and I’ve personally spoken with thousands of you! Yet many of us feel like we’re treading water and not getting anywhere. Our progressive community could lead the rest of the country, but we need leadership who can represent us.
Why me?
Working in the charity sector has given me a deep belief in people, in our ability to come together and change the future for the better. I’ve dedicated my life to protecting what’s most precious to us. I know how to get things done, and as a middle-aged mum of teenagers, I’m not here to mess around. I want results for you, for our kids, and for us all.
Why here?
We have something truly special here. Our Southside community has given my family the friendship and caring neighbourhood that has seen our children flourish. All of us deserve to have what we need for a good Southside life! And we can have it – but we need to start by electing someone who’ll actually represent us. I’ll work for our community and bring our values and our priorities to parliament.
What do I hope to achieve?
You pay too much for groceries, power bills and the doctor! If we make multinational corporations pay their fair share of tax, we can afford the services we need. We can have genuinely free GPs again, put dental and mental healthcare into Medicare, and build more housing. We can have the safe and prosperous life we deserve.
Contact or follow me:
sonya.semmens@vic.greens.org.au
instagram.com/sonya_semmens/
facebook.com/SonyaSemmensGreens
bsky.app/profile/sonyasemmens.bsky.social
x.com/SonyaSemmens
