Who are the candidates in this year's federal election across Melbourne's eastern suburbs?
Our guide to when the next federal election may be held, who you can vote for and what they hope to achieve if they are elected into power.
Matthew Sims
January 08, 2025
Table of Contents
With both major parties and independents set to start spruiking their election promises ahead of this year’s federal election, we thought now would be a good chance to get in early and highlight the major players across the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
We’ll endeavour to continue to update this as new candidates announce their campaigns.
Otherwise, please reach out to us at [email protected] to tell us about the issues that will be swaying your vote this year, or what you want us to ask your local MPs.
When will the next federal election be held?
With the last federal election held on the 21st of May 2022 and the House of Representatives first meeting on Tuesday 26th July 2022, and each House of Representatives term lasting no longer than three years, an election must be held before 27th September.
However, it is most likely that a House of Representatives and half-Senate election would be held at the same time, meaning the next election must be held no later than Saturday 17th May.
Who can I vote for?
Deakin
Including Ringwood North, Ringwood, Croydon Hills, Croydon North, Vermont, Forest Hill, Blackburn and Mitcham, Liberal MP Michael Sukkar has held the seat of Deakin since 2013.
Michael Sukkar (Liberal)
According to his website, Mr Sukkar’s priorities include supporting young sportspeople and veterans, standing up for families, investing in new and upgraded local sporting facilities and advocating for elderly people.
Matt Gregg (Labor)
Mr Gregg announced his intention to stand as Labor’s candidate for Deakin last November via a series of social media posts.
“As a lawyer, teacher, and long-time local, I’m ready to fight for a fairer, more prosperous future,” he said on a Facebook post.
From tackling the housing crisis and making childcare affordable to implementing common-sense energy policy and raising living standards, I’ll work hard to deliver for our community.
“I want to push back against divisive, negative politicians that attempt to drag us backwards, instead of fighting for a better future.”
Jess Ness (Independent)
Endorsed by Voices for Deakin, Ms Ness said her main priorities would be encouraging climate action and resilience, improving trust and democracy and creating more affordable and accessible housing options.
“Climate action as a nation is essential, and the government must acknowledge that communities are already feeling the wrath of its effects,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.
“Government can do more to empower communities to better prepare for and recover from extreme weather events. Insurance costs are a growing burden, with many families unable to afford premiums that continue to rise, exacerbated by events like the recent LA fires.
“I know that together, we can create a sustainable and equitable future for all residents of Deakin.”
Ms Ness said recent “teal waves” spurred her on to nominate as an independent candidate.
“The political landscape in Australia currently entrenches power in the hands of major parties, fosters polarization, and discourages innovation in governance,” she said.
“Independent representatives, however, can restore true democracy by representing local community interests, encouraging accountability, breaking partisan deadlocks, and promoting policy diversity.
”I have been inspired by the successes of independents who have challenged the dominance of major parties, empowered voters and ensured Parliament better reflects the diverse views and needs of Australians.”
Amy Mills (Greens)
On her website, Ms Mills said her experiences as a dietitian, disability support worker, and renter living with a disability in the area drove her to run for the seat of Deakin.
“With lived experience of housing insecurity, living below the poverty line, and navigating life with a disability, I bring empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the struggles our community faces,” she said.
“I believe in evidence-based policies that prioritize people and the planet.
“From rent caps and affordable housing to tackling supermarket price gouging and ensuring free, accessible healthcare, I’m committed to creating a fairer future.”
Aston
Including Bayswater, Boronia, The Basin, Wantirna, Scoresby, Rowville and Lysterfield, Labor MP Mary Doyle has only held the seat of Aston for a brief period after being successful in a by-election last April, following the resignation of Alan Tudge.
Mary Doyle (Labor)
Ms Doyle was the first woman to be elected to the seat of Aston in the electorate’s history and the second-ever Labor representative in the seat. In her maiden speech to Parliament, she said she did not think of herself as a politician, but aimed to work for families like her own.
“Families doing it tough in Aston, families like mine growing up, don't need a pat on the head and a pitying look,” Ms Doyle said.
“What we need is good policy and to be taken seriously.
“We are not a political football to be kicked around at election time.”
Manny Cicchiello (Liberal)
Mr Cicchiello is the deputy principal at a large independent Prep-Year 12 school, where he has worked as a teacher for the last 25 years.
He has also served as mayor of Knox Council in 2004.
“I want to be an advocate for our community in Canberra, by helping to reduce the cost of living, and fixing local issues,” Mr Cicchiello said.
“Families in Aston deserve a Member of Parliament who will fight to bring back the road funding axed by the Labor government.
“You deserve to be able to spend more time at home, and less time stuck in traffic.”
Menzies
Including Templestowe, Bulleen, Doncaster, Box Hill, Blackburn, Surrey Hills and Warrandyte, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan has held the seat of Menzies since the last federal election in 2022.
Keith Wolahan (Liberal)
In his maiden speech to Parliament in 2022, Mr Wolahan said his main aims as an MP included moving towards democratising prosperity and democratising power, and fighting against the division of society into identity affiliations.
“Moved by gratitude, I have not come to tear down institutions, but to nourish them,” he said.
“Moved by duty, I have not come to act in my interest, but the national interest.
“We will be tested and we will make decisions.”
Gabriel Ng (Labor)
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Albanese announced Mr Ng’s candidacy, saying he would advocate for tax cuts, cheaper child care, and more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
Stella Yee (Independent)
Formerly the 2019 Labor candidate for Menzies, Stella Yee has been dedicated to supporting the Menzies communit through Rotary, St Vincent de Paul, and Manningham Life, an initiative I started to keep locals informed after the local newspaper was shut down.
“With a strong track record of advocacy, community service, and standing up for what’s right, I’m committed to making a difference,” she said.
Casey
Including Lysterfield, Lilydale, Kilsyth and Belgrave, as well as a wide area further east, Liberal MP Aaron Violi has held the seat of Casey since the last federal election in 2022.
Aaron Violi (Liberal)
Mr Violi told the Eastern Melburnian he was hopeful to continue to work towards supporting the Casey electorate if he was re-elected.
“I’ve spent my time in Parliament advocating for action on cost of living, better local roads, improved telecommunications, supporting small businesses, access to healthcare, affordable housing and have also supported many local groups with grants,” he said.
“I want to continue working for better local outcomes – from cost of living to roads, healthcare, telecommunications and housing.
“Locally, I’m looking forward to continuing my work on the various challenges our community faces.”
Naomi Oakley (Labor)
After vying for the seat of Menzies for Labor in 2022 and securing a third of the first preference votes and 49.3 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, Naomi Oakley is throwing her hat in the ring for Casey.
Having served Victoria Police for 13 years, she is now a front line safety worker within hospitals.
“I have decided to stand for the federal seat of Casey because I believe my experience in the community uniquely prepares me to understand and deal with the complex issues that impact Casey,” Oakley said.
She said the electorate’s needs were always diverse and evolving, including climate change, health and access to services.
“My priority will be to improve access to hospitals, health care, improved educational resources, improved access to technology for bringing down power costs and access to better quality mobile signals and WiFi,” Oakley said.
Merran Blair (Greens)
On her website, Ms Blair said she was keen to help Casey join the fight to repair the damage caused by the climate emergency.
“Major weather events are wreaking havoc in our communities and homes, and we’re beginning to feel that no season is safe from the climate emergency,” she said.
“Voters here know that no new coal and gas is the way to a safer future.”
Ms Blair also said she hoped to target cost of living in the area.
“The financial stress felt by people in Casey cannot be overstated,” she said.
“Almost half of our community are mortgage holders, with soaring repayments making it harder to put food on the table.”
Claire Ferres Miles (Independent)
On her website, Ms Miles said she believed she is a “strong and credible alternative to the major parties”.
“We pay a small fortune for our groceries, we don’t have emergency health care in the valley, we are a childcare desert, our roads are full of potholes and mobile blackspots and power outages are an everyday part of life,” she said.
“As an Independent, I am free to speak up for what our community needs, not just toe the party line.”
Her proposed policies included targeting price gouging carried out by large corporations, championing climate change solutions and solving the housing crisis in Casey.
“With cost of living, people are struggling to pay the bills, stretching their family budget to breaking point with price-gouging at the supermarkets, high energy bills and skyrocketing insurance premiums,” Miles told the Eastern Melburnian.
“People in Casey are facing a significant risk of under insurance or no insurance at all.”
Chisholm
Including Burwood, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill, Burwood and Chadstone, Labor MP Dr Carina Garland has held the seat of Chisholm since the last federal election in 2022.
Dr Carina Garland (Labor)
In her maiden speech to Parliament in 2022, Dr Garland said she aimed to work towards better healthcare, education, jobs, climate action, and a strong economy in Canberra.
“One of the reasons I was so motivated to be here is so that I can do my best to ensure that everyone can forge a life for themselves and their families built on security, opportunity and ambition,” she said.
“Until we rid our society of the scourge of unnecessary insecure work, too many people will be left behind, unable to live the lives they want to live, and should be able to live, in a country like Australia.”
Dr Katie Allen (Liberal)
Ms Allen held the seat of Higgins from 2019 to 2022.
For more 25 years, she has served as a doctor of paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“If I’m elected, I will be focused on lowering the cost of living, improving access to health and aged care, and lifting the quality of education in Australian schools,” Dr Allen said.
Tim Randall (Greens)
An architect specialising in accessible design for people with disabilities, and having lived in Chisholm for nearly a decade, Randall said he was passionate about creating a fairer, kinder world by tackling the housing crisis, supporting and celebrating our multicultural communities and driving strong climate action.
He is also a member of the Ashburton Baptist Church, an avid cyclist and a lover of live music.
Peter Jones (Family First)
Mr Jones’ platform includes supporting local retail opportunities.
“You only need to look around and see small businesses closing and vacant retail outlets up for lease to know that the big parties have failed businesses and failed Victorians across the board,” he said.
“They have been so pre-occupied with DEI and climate change that they have forgotten the premise for business to succeed.
“I want to ensure my grandchildren have a happy, healthy life devoid of woke cultural influences and full of good old fashioned family values."
Hotham
Including Mulgrave, Oakleigh, Notting Hill and Clayton, Labor MP Clare O’Neil has held the seat of Hotham since 2013.
Clare O’Neil (Labor)
Formerly the mayor of Greater Dandenong in 2004, Ms O’Neil has held a number of cabinet roles, including as the Minister for Housing, the Minister for Homelessness and the Minister for Home Affairs.
In 2010, she spent nine months living in East Arnhem Land, working on business development with a local Aboriginal community.
She has a special interest in economics, Indigenous Australia and – as a mother and a former foster parent – the welfare of Australian children.
Harmick Singh Matharu (Liberal)
The former spokesperson for the Victorian Sikh Gurduara Council, Harmick Singh Matharu aims to restore economic stability, address cost of living concerns and reducing government debt.
Martin Barry (Greens)
Barry’s platform included supporting the building of affordable homes to rent and buy by establishing a Public Builder for 200,000 quality new homes, lowering grocery bills by capping prices on essentials and making price-gouging illegal and expanding Medicare by covering dental and mental healthcare and increasing GP bulk-billing rates.
A proud Mauritian-Australian, he said he understood the struggle of the multicultural Australians being left behind by the major parties in this country, including the Greens.
Richard Warner (Family First)
Mr Warner’s platform includes education system reform, youth welfare and traditional family values.
For more information about how to vote in this year’s election, visit the AEC website.
Photo Credit: Michael/Unsplash