Know your candidates: An objective guide
Here’s an overview of key candidates for the 2025 Australian Federal Victorian Senate election, their party affiliations, policy priorities, and likely voting stances on major issues:
Liberals/Nationals
James Paterson (Liberal)
Key Positions: Libertarian-aligned; advocates free markets, free speech reform (e.g., repealing parts of the Racial Discrimination Act), and a hardline stance against China’s human rights abuses.
Voting Likelihood: For fossil fuel subsidies, against climate regulation, and supportive of national security measures.
Jane Hume (Liberal)
Key Positions: Moderate faction; focuses on financial deregulation, cryptocurrency flexibility, and women’s economic security. Supports voluntary assisted dying.
Voting Likelihood: For business tax cuts, against expanded superannuation regulation.
Kyle Hoppitt (Liberal)
Key Positions: Small-business advocate and former Baptist preacher; emphasises “community values” and conservative economic policies.
Voting Likelihood: Likely to align with Coalition’s anti-union and pro-privatisation agenda.
Greg Mirabella (Liberal)
Background: Former Liberal Party president; lost preselection to Hoppitt due to factional disputes. Historically supports rural infrastructure and conservative social policies.
Chrestyna Kmetj (Liberal)
Key Positions: Focuses on multicultural engagement (particularly Ukrainian-Australian issues) and mental health initiatives.
Glenn Arnold (Nationals)
Key Positions: Likely prioritises rural/regional infrastructure, agriculture subsidies, and opposing renewable energy transitions in farming areas.
Legalise Cannabis Party
Fiona Patten, Alice Davy, Shea Evans
Key Positions: Legalising recreational cannabis, drug law reform, and harm reduction policies.
Voting Likelihood: For drug decriminalisation, against punitive drug laws.
Animal Justice Party
Helen Jeges, Benjamin McMillan
Key Positions: Opposing live animal exports, banning factory farming, and expanding animal rights legislation.
Voting Likelihood: Against agricultural subsidies tied to animal industries.
Indigenous – Aboriginal Party of Australia
Raquel Austin-Abdullah, Laylah Al-Saimary
Key Positions: Advocacy for Indigenous sovereignty, treaty negotiations, and increased funding for First Nations communities (specific policies not detailed in search results).
Australia’s Voice
Mohamed El-Masri, Harsimran Kaur, Rasheed El Achkar
Key Positions: Anti-corruption reforms, multiculturalism, and social equity. Likely aligns with centrist populism.
FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation
Kammy Cordner Hunt, Simon Mark Simcha Gnieslaw
Key Positions: Environmental sustainability (Planet Rescue), whistleblower protections, and tech innovation. Likely supports renewable energy and transparency laws
Trumpet of Patriots
James William Unkles, Ron Jean, Roger Ivan McKay
Key Positions: Clive Palmer-linked party; anti-establishment rhetoric, privatisation, and opposition to net-zero policies.
Voting Likelihood: Against climate action, for fossil fuel subsidies.
Australian Labor Party
Raffaele Ciccone, Jess Walsh, Michelle Ananda-Rajah
Key Positions: Expanding Medicare, TAFE funding, and moderate climate policies (supports renewables but approved fossil fuel projects).
Voting Likelihood: For progressive tax reforms, against radical wealth redistribution.
Family First
Bernie Finn, Jane Foreman
Key Positions: Social conservatism; opposes abortion, euthanasia, and LGBTQ+ rights. Supports “traditional family values”.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Warren Pickering, Christopher Bradbury
Key Positions: Anti-immigration, anti-renewables, and anti-“woke” policies. Supports coal/gas expansion.
Victorian Socialists
Jordan Van Den Lamb, Steph Price
Key Positions: Wealth redistribution, nationalising energy/resources, and rent freezes.
Voting Likelihood: For corporate tax hikes, against military spending.
The Greens
Steph Hodgins-May, Navera Ari
Key Positions: Banning new coal/gas projects, free dental/mental healthcare, and 1 million public homes.
Voting Likelihood: Against fossil fuel subsidies, for climate justice.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Ethan Constantinou, Ken Vickers
Key Positions: Pro-gun rights (repealing the National Firearms Agreement), expanding public land access for hunting, and opposing environmental park expansions.
Ungrouped Candidates
David Van (Independent): Ex-Liberal; opposes allegations of misconduct. Likely aligns with conservative fiscal policies
Others (Heena Cheung, Susantha Abeysinghe, etc.): Insufficient data, but generally issue-focused or single-policy independents.
Key Voting Blocs
Climate Action: Greens > Victorian Socialists > Labor > Liberals/Nationals against.
Economic Policy: Liberals/Nationals (austerity) vs. Labor/Greens (welfare expansion).
Social Issues: Family First/One Nation (conservative) vs. Greens/Socialists (progressive).
For full candidate lists and policies, consult the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website or party websites.
Voting in Scullin? Know your candidates: An objective guide
Here’s an overview of the candidates for the (randomly chosen) federal seat of Scullin, their affiliations, key policy positions, and likely stances on critical issues:
Adriana Buccianti – Trumpet of Patriots (ToP)
Party Background: Clive Palmer’s right-wing party, formed via a merger with the Australian Federation Party. Focuses on anti-establishment rhetoric, privatisation, and opposition to climate policies.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Likely supports deregulation and privatisation (e.g., opposing public healthcare/education funding).
Anti-net-zero emissions, aligned with Palmer’s fossil fuel interests.
May oppose immigration reforms and multicultural policies.
Voting Likelihood:
Against climate action, public services expansion, or anti-corruption bodies.
For tax cuts for corporations and fossil fuel subsidies.
Cassandra Bell – Family First
Party Background: Socially conservative, Christian-aligned party emphasising “traditional family values”.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Opposes progressive social policies (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights, euthanasia).
Supports religious freedoms and anti-abortion measures.
Likely prioritises “family welfare” over systemic economic reforms.
Voting Likelihood:
Against drug law reform, gender-affirming care, or secular education.
For policies reinforcing conservative social norms.
Omar Hassan – Victorian Socialists
Party Background: Anti-capitalist, socialist party advocating wealth redistribution and public ownership.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Tax ultra-wealthy and corporations to fund public housing, healthcare, and education.
Nationalise energy/resources, cancel fossil fuel projects.
Combat far-right politics and systemic inequality.
Voting Likelihood:
For rent freezes, Medicare expansion, and climate action.
Against corporate tax cuts, privatisation, or military spending.
Arthur Tsoutsoulis – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (PHON)
Party Background: Far-right, nationalist party known for anti-immigration and anti-“woke” rhetoric.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Stricter immigration controls and reduced multicultural funding.
Opposition to climate policies and renewable energy transitions.
Anti-lockdown/vaccine mandates (historical PHON positions).
Voting Likelihood:
Against refugee rights, Indigenous Voice, or net-zero targets.
For reducing foreign aid and expanding coal/gas projects.
Loki Sangarya – The Greens
Key Background: Water engineer and climate activist; opposes fossil fuels and corporate influence.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Climate: Ban new coal/gas projects, fund renewables, and tax corporations.
Cost of Living: Freeze rents, cap mortgages, expand Medicare to dental/mental health.
Housing: Build 1 million public homes and tax property speculators.
Voting Likelihood:
For progressive tax reforms, climate action, and anti-corruption bodies.
Against fossil fuel subsidies or corporate donations.
Rohit Taggar – Liberal Party
Party Background: Centre-right party advocating economic liberalism and small government.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Tax cuts for high-income earners and businesses.
Support for fossil fuel industries and reduced climate regulation.
Likely opposes rent freezes and Medicare expansion.
Voting Likelihood:
For privatisation (e.g., TAFE), austerity measures.
Against raising corporate taxes or strengthening union rights.
Andrew Giles – Australian Labor Party
Key Background: Incumbent MP and Minister for Skills and Training; Labor Left faction.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Expand TAFE funding and vocational training.
Moderate climate policies (e.g., supports renewables but approved 25+ fossil fuel projects).
Centrist immigration reforms (e.g., Direction 99/110 on deportations).
Voting Likelihood:
For incremental welfare reforms and union partnerships.
Against ‘radical’ climate action and wealth taxes.
Ursula van Bree – Gerard Rennick People First
Party Background: Populist right-wing party led by former UAP senator Gerard Rennick; anti-establishment.
Key Beliefs/Proposals:
Anti-lockdowns/vaccine mandates (historical UAP positions).
Opposition to net-zero policies and “globalist” agendas.
Likely supports conspiracy-adjacent rhetoric.
Voting Likelihood:
Against climate action, immigration, or public health measures.
For deregulation and anti-science policies.
Summary for Voters
Progressive Voters: Loki Sangarya (Greens) or Omar Hassan (Socialists) align with climate action and wealth redistribution.
Centrist Voters: Andrew Giles (Labor) offers moderate reforms but compromises on fossil fuels.
Conservative Voters: Rohit Taggar (Liberal) or Arthur Tsoutsoulis (PHON) support business-first policies.
Anti-Establishment Voters: Adriana Buccianti (ToP) or Ursula van Bree (Rennick) cater to far-right populism.
For detailed policies, consult party websites or candidate statements.
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