Video recording of TWiSK Prahran candidate form from Monday 27 January
Early voting locations
Polling booth locations
Candidate information
Voters in the State District of Prahran will vote on Saturday 8 February to elect a new member of parliament to replace the Greens MP Sam Hibbins who resigned in November.
In you live in parts of St Kilda, East St Kilda or around St Kilda Road/Queens Road you could be living in the Prahran district and are required to vote.
Don’t be fooled by the name Prahran. The St Kilda Town Hall is in the state seat of Prahran, so is Alma Park, most of St Kilda Road north of the Junction – see the map below.
Key dates
Voters roll closes Friday 27 December 5 pm
Candidate nominations close Friday 17 January
Early voting commences Wednesday 29 January
Election day voting Saturday 8 February 8 am – 6 pm
Full details at VEC website
Early voting locations (from Wednesday 29 January)
Prahran
Ground Floor, 60 Wilson Street, South Yarra
Entrance door to building facing Ellis Street
Prahran EO
21-23 Chapel Street, Windsor
Entry door facing Chapel Street
Polling booths 8 February (St Kilda, St Kilda East only)
St Michael’s Grammar School
20 Redan Street, St Kilda
Entrance to Gipson Commons Building facing Redan Street.
St Mary’s Parish Hall
214 Dandenong Road
St Kilda East
Access via Westbury Street.
TWiSK candidates forum recording
Monday 27 January, 6.30 – 7.45 pm
Eight candidates took part in the Prahran candidate forum by TWiSK. In the first 30 minutes, each candidate gives a three minute pitch for votes. This is followed by 30 minutes of Q&A, mostly from the audience. In the final 10 minutes, each candidate summaries their call for your first preference. This was a free, independent event fully funded and presented by TWiSK.
Candidate supplied information
TWiSK asked all the candidates to provide brief responses to basic biographical questions to help guide your vote. They are presented in alpha order by family name.
The ALP has decided not to to field a candidate, but former ALP MP for Prahran Tony Lupton has announced that he will stand as an independent after he resigned from the ALP.
TWiSK will give equal space to all candidates.
Eleven candidates standing for Prahran
TWiSK has invited every candidate to the forum and invite them to submit candidate information in there own words.
Dennis Bilic
Sustainable Australia Party – Stop Overdevelopment / Corruption
How to vote for Dennis
www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/2025_prahran
Buzz Billman
Independent
How to vote for Buzz
Who am I?
I work as a train driver, and an actor. I’m a member of two unions: Rail, Tram, and Bus Union since 1998, and MEAA since 2020. Throughout my career I have protected workers’ rights, and occupational, health & safety as an elected representative with the RTBU. For 28 years, I have been an advocate for the homeless, asylum seekers, marriage equality, climate action, public transport, gambling reform, and more.
Why?
Prahran really needs a truly Independent representative who will be passionate about Prahran and broader progressive issues, and have a working relationship with whoever is in government to improve this area. The Greens have held Prahran for 10 years, but have failed to negotiate improvements to infrastructure, services, and safety here due to the hostile relationships they have with state and federal governments. Many of the local policies they are bringing to this election are past policies they’ve failed to negotiate here.
Why Me?
I am a seasoned campaigner. I will be dedicated to serving the Prahran District, not the faceless people inside a political party. I have progressive values, though I understand we live in a diverse community with varying opinions. I will engage with the whole of the community to try and bring us together to work on the issues facing us locally whilst having a working relationship and rapport with whoever is in government to negotiate the things we need here.
Why here?
I grew up Southside and have spent most of my life here. I have lived & worked in Prahran and St Kilda East. I’ve always loved the progressive, edgy vibe of this area. When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time skateboarding at Prahran Bowl, and I still play basketball at the court there. As an adult, I enjoy theatre at Chapel Off Chapel and Red Stitch, the various bars and restaurants. I like how walkable this area is, but it needs to be safer for us. I want to help protect Prahran into the future.
What do I hope to achieve? (Top three local topics)
1) Community Safety: There were over 100,000 reported family violence incidents across Victoria last year. The Victoria Police responds to one family violence incident every five minutes. The lives of 101 women were lost in Australia due to murder last year. We have to stop this from continuing to happen. In Prahran District itself, I am hearing from many people who do not feel safe. More needs to be done regarding crime prevention, and mental health support to make our district safer.
2) Cost of living is bringing many people in this community to the brink. I will support measures to alleviate cost of living. Help for renters, owner-occupiers, public housing, small businesses, and helping the homeless.
3) Climate action: I support the transition to a renewable economy, and anything that will lessen our reliance on cars. I will not support new coal, gas, or nuclear projects.
Contact or follow
e-mail: campaign@buzz4prahran.com
Phone: 0400 245 195
website: www.buzz4prahran.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buzz4prahran
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570829819716&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Nathan Chisholm
Independent
Who am I?
Executive Principal of Prahran High School – a new school I built for our community, with national recognition. I’m a proud member of the LBTQIA+ community and live in Windsor with my husband.
Why?
Prahran has not been proactively and effectively represented. Little has been achieved, much has been lost and the time for change is now. I will be a stronger voice.
Why me?
I have proven my commitment to this community and my ability to manage, nurture, create and build for us. I know how to get bring people together and get things done, and I do.
Why here?
This is home. Our community is special to me. I live here, I work here, I play tennis here, I eat out here. I love this community. I know we need change.
What do I hope to achieve?
Community: I will bring our diverse community together to advocate for what we need. Community engagement, connection and safety a priority.
Cost of living: People are struggling. I will advocate to reduce the tax burden and prioritise an increase for services like mental health, education and rent assistance.
Creative Hubs: I will prioritise the return of the Prahran Creative Arts and Education Precinct.
Contact me
prahran@nathanchisholm.com
www.nathanchisholm.com
Mark Dessau
Libertarian Party
How to vote for Mark
vic.ldp.org.au/prahran_by_election
Angelica Di Camillo
Greens for Prahran
Who am I?
I’m an environmental engineer, pilates teacher and St Kilda East local. I deeply care about our climate, and I know that people in our community are really struggling right now with the soaring cost of living, they’re drowning in rental increases and many young people have given up on the dream of ever owning a home. I want to be a strong progressive voice who fights for our community.
Why?
I put my hand up because I love our community. We are a progressive and compassionate electorate that deserves strong representation. This is going to be a tough contest between the Greens and the Liberals, Labor isn’t running. Under the Liberals, rents will be even more expensive, making it even harder to buy a home, and they will keep approving more fossil fuels that are destroying our climate. We can’t risk the Liberals who will send our community backwards on everything we care about.
Why me?
As an environmental engineer, I bring my background and experience across multiple energy sectors. We need more STEM leaders, and we know that If you want positive change, you have to vote for it.
Why here?
I walk my dog at Alma Park every day, I spend my time on Chapel Street drinking coffee and shopping at the op shops, and I teach Pilates in our electorate of Prahran. I understand our lives, and struggles, and I can represent us.
What do I hope to achieve? (Top three local topics)
We need a progressive voice in Parliament to represent Prahran. I will push to freeze and cap rent increases, lower the cost of food with price caps on essential groceries and push for real climate action – no more coal and gas. Politicians should work for all of us, and not just big donors. I will work hard to restore integrity and accountability to politics and represent and protect the Prahran community we love.
Contact or follow
Phone: 0424 688 404
Email: angelica.dicamillo@vic.greens.org.au
Socials: Instagram and Facebook – AngelicaDiCamilloGreens
Faith Fuhrer
Animal Justice Party
Who am I?
I’m an animal advocate and humanitarian living in Prahran. I’m in Communications, both for a town planning firm and for a charity that supports families and pets in crisis.
Why?
Prove that we can enrich human quality of life without failing our responsibility to protect animals and the environment – and challenge the mainstream parties to drive concrete, positive change.
Why me?
Animal welfare and advocacy, human rights, climate action, circular economy, open-minded listening, productive conversation, communications, academic research, nonprofits, urban planning, critical thinking, the arts, volunteer wellbeing, kindness, equality, rationality, non-violence.
Why here?
After living and working in the community for several years, I love its unique vibrance and diversity – and I believe we can better connect with nature in our urban spaces.
What do I hope to achieve?
Ban statewide duck shooting while protecting birdlife in our local parks, particularly Albert Park Lake and Royal Botanic Gardens. End greyhound racing while supporting greyhound rescues and creating greyhound-only spaces. Increase family violence support services and pet crisis accommodation, while advocating for community members experiencing hardship.
Contact or follow me
Email: faith.fuhrer.ajp@gmail.com
Socials: Instagram: @faith.fuhrer.ajp / Facebook: Faith Fuhrer – Animal Justice Party for Prahran
Geneviève Gilbert
Family First Victoria
Who am I?
I’m Geneviève Gilbert, a Canadian-born mother of three living in Melbourne since 2001. As founder of Pink Cross Foundation Australia, I’m passionate about social advocacy and fighting injustice. With diverse skills and a hands-on approach, I have the capacity for seeing potential and making positive changes happen. My commitment is to support all people of Prahran and strengthen families.
Why?:
I love seeing people thrive, and serving the community. I want to implement practical solutions to make public spaces accessible to those with visible, or invisible disabilities and safer for women and children to navigate through. I will work together in partnership with the Council, and engage with our community groups (sports clubs, faith-based schools and groups, merchant associations) to enact the changes they want to see in Prahran. I will work hard with the CSPA to see the Chapel Street Festival return. It is such a vibrant CBD outskirt!
Why me?
I have the skills necessary to provide the people of Prahran with a hardworking and compassionate MP. Having founded Pink Cross Foundation Australia, I bring valuable experience in social advocacy and a strong commitment to family values.
I have degrees in Mental Health, Visual Arts, Communication, and Multimedia, and I have built a career supporting people affected by commercial sexual exploitation, which has deepened my understanding of societal challenges and the importance of strong families.
Why here?
I have lived and worked in this area ever since I moved to Melbourne in 2001, so I am invested in this area.
What do I hope to achieve?
Address the cost-of-living crisis: Focus on reviewing and reducing electricity prices to alleviate financial pressure on families and businesses. Promote local shopping and home gardening, reduce rent for low-income families and improve public transport accessibility and affordability.
Protect faith-based schools: Ensure these institutions can employ staff who align with their values, preserving parental choice in education.
Bring the biological definition of a woman into all legislation and policies, protecting women and children in public spaces and sport.
Contact or follow me
Phone: 0494 153 146
Email: jane.foreman@familyfirstparty.org.au
Socials: https://www.familyfirstparty.org.au/family_first_announces_genevi_ve_gilbert_as_prahran_by_election_candidate
https://www.facebook.com/familyfirstparty
www.familyfirstparty.org.au
https://x.com/FamilyAu
Janine Hendry
Community Independent for Prahran
Who am I?
Following a 25-year career in academia, I embraced entrepreneurship; I have been a founder, a CEO and a policy advisor. In 2021, driven by the notion of social justice I founded the Women’s March4Justice, a charity that strives to transform social attitudes and deliver equality to all women.
Mostly, I am a woman unafraid to stand up and create change.
Why?
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Nominated by the Prahran community to represent Prahran as your community independent, I’m here to challenge a closed political system and want to take an important step in advocating for my community so that our voices are heard. We are only ever as strong as the community in which we live.
Why me?
I understand that social justice must exist on the back of equality. I have a history of advocating for those who can’t. I speak truth to power. As an academic I understand the importance of evidence-based policy, but more than being an academic I am an experienced CEO. I also have a deep insight into politics having worked collaboratively across the political spectrum to develop policy aimed at ending violence against women.
Why here?
I’ve lived in Prahran for the best part of 35 years, my first share house was here, I raised my kids here, I volunteer as a crisis support worker at lifeline, right here in Prahran.
Indeed, after a stint in Sydney, I not only moved back into Prahran, but I purchased my old house back, that’s commitment.
What do I hope to achieve?
Utilising my skills in architecture to better protect our built environment. The spaces we live, play and work in deeply impact us and I will focus on the increased regulation of development.
I recognise the link between our built environment and community safety, increasingly our community is feeling less safe. Crime in Prahran is up 12%, it’s time for real solutions and not more of what isn’t working.
Address the issue of inequality at a community level. It is inequality that drives violence against women and It is inequality that is punishing young people though HECS debt and high barriers to entry into the housing market.
Contact or Follow
Phone 0418 521 468
Web janinehendry.com.au
Email janine@janinehendry.com.au
Socials
Facebook @janinehendry
Instagram @_janine_hendry
Threads @_janine_hendry
Bluesky @janinehendry.bsky.social
X @janine_hendry
Tony Lupton
Independent for Prahran
Who am I?
I’m Tony Lupton. Before I was the Labor MP for Prahran I was a barrister representing injured workers. For most of the last decade I’ve served on the Mental Health Tribunal.
Why?
Labor wouldn’t run a candidate, so I’ve come out of political retirement to give people a genuine choice. Our area has been let down by the Liberals and Greens. I can make a difference.
Why me?
I’m experienced, local and independent. I know how government works, will hold all political parties to account and get results.
Why here?
My partner Julie and I have lived in the electorate for 25 years, raising our daughters here. I grew up in the area, went to school here, have life-long connections here and was the Labor MP here.
What do I hope to achieve? (Top three local topics)
Health. Restore proper funding for The Alfred and reform of the mental health system to focus on prevention rather than hospitalisation.
Community services and education. Save the Windsor Child Care Centre and support adequate funding for community and education services in the area.
Safety. Make our streets safe for local residents.
Contact or follow
Phone 0458 606 137
Web: Tony Lupton for Prahran
Email campaign@tonyluptonforprahran.au
Socials
Facebook Tony Lupton for Prahran
Instagram Tony Lupton for Prahran
Alan Menadue
Independent
Alan received 449 votes or 1.14% in 2022.
Rachel Westaway
Liberal for Prahran
Who am I?
I’m Rachel Westaway, a long-time local, a mum of three, a dedicated volunteer and a leader
in our business community. For over 10 years, I’ve supported local clubs like the Prahran
Junior Football Club and the Toorak Prahran Cricket Club. As President of the Thai
Australian Chamber, I champion international ties. My family and I are proud to call this
community home and we have lived in the seat of Prahran for over twenty years. I’m
passionate about making our community even better.
Why me?
I bring real-life experience as a parent, community leader, and business advocate. I
understand the pressures families face and am committed to tackling the cost-of-living crisis
and addressing local safety concerns head-on. My deep connection to this area, combined
with proven leadership, means I’ll stand up for you with a strong voice and practical
solutions. I’m ready to deliver real results that make a tangible difference for our local
community.
Why here?
Prahran is where I’ve built my life, raised my family, and contributed to a thriving community.
From vibrant local clubs to bustling businesses, this area deserves strong representation
that understands its unique challenges. Prahran needs someone not just invested in its
future but deeply connected to its past and present. I’ll work tirelessly to ensure our local
priorities are heard and acted upon in Parliament. St Kilda East deserves better—better
footpaths, better services, and a better deal from our State Government.
What do I hope to achieve? (Top three local topics)
1. Support local businesses with initiatives to boost trade, jobs, and economic growth
across Prahran.
2. Reduce the cost of living by cutting taxes and fees, making life more affordable for
local families.
3. Prioritise community safety by advocating for stronger measures to combat crime
and improve public spaces, especially on Carlisle and Inkerman Streets.
Contact
● rachel.westaway@vic.liberal.org.au
● www.rachelwestaway.com.au
● @RachelWestawayPrahran (Instagram)
● (03) 9654 2255
