Decent, principled, positive. They will be the maxims of my service as a member of the Legislative Assembly, my motto, and my inspiration.

They were written about Bill Wood MLA, a Labor representative for Brindabella, a Minister in the first ACT Labor Governments, and my mentor.

I signed-up to ACT Labor so I could join in the struggle to ensure Brindabella remains a brilliant place to live, as well as a community of great possibility for happy families and good people. Tuggeranong - Canberra’s most attractive and family-friendly community - is worth that struggle, as hard as possible, for as long as possible.

I’m here to help improve Tuggeranong’s health services, our transport links, our parks, ovals and public spaces, to encourage our participation in healthier, more enjoyable lifestyles, refusing to compromise on quality in the schools our children attend so they get the most out of themselves and make the most of themselves.

I am making a positive difference by being Tuggeranong’s loud and proud voice in ACT’s Labor government, constantly (and constructively) arguing and annoying and fighting for the interest and investment we need and deserve. I work as hard as I can to listen to our community’s ideas, suggestions and concerns so I can be a better representative of Brindabella.

My job as a representative of Brindabella starts with what I can guarantee - getting something done, as rapidly as possible, on every idea, suggestion or concern about our community raised with me by our neighbours. I can’t (and won’t) guarantee that I’ll be able to deliver a satisfactory answer or outcome every single time, but if I can’t it won’t be for want of trying. Everyone should know where they stand and what their options are.

I am troubled when I hear that some Tuggeranong residents feel under-served by their government, or even ignored. That is not a feeling in Tuggeranong I am prepared to accept. It is a conversation I am changing, in partnership with the active, positive and energetic community members and organisations throughout the south who have achievable, feasible ideas about the big things and the little things of government.