Dr Bassima Hawli

Families are struggling with the cost of living while major banks and large corporations continue to make billions. Victorians are facing rising electricity, gas and water bills, while many families are struggling simply to put food on the table and pay for essential services.

A pay rise means nothing when bills rise faster.

Government must take responsibility and work to make everyday essentials affordable again.

Small businesses are also under enormous pressure. Many are being forced to cut staff, reduce operating hours or close altogether. We need to cut unnecessary red tape, reduce government waste and redirect savings towards supporting local and small businesses.

When a small business closes, more than one door shuts.

Taking Responsibility means standing with families, workers and the small businesses that keep our communities alive.

People deserve to feel safe in their homes, at work, on our streets and in public places such as shopping centres. We need more visible policing in our local communities.

We also need accessible local police stations because they are important community safety hubs, places people should be able to turn to when they feel threatened or in danger.

Safety has no closing time
nor should our police stations.

Home invasions and domestic violence demand stronger prevention, better support services and effective policing.

We must also invest in education, early intervention and programs that genuinely change behaviour before violence escalates.

Bruises can fade, but the fear can last a lifetime.
Finding the courage to seek help should not mean fighting the system to find safety.

Taking Responsibility means protecting victims, strengthening prevention and making community safety a priority.

Environment first

Large-scale data centre developments must not be fast-tracked at the expense of residents and local communities.

People have legitimate concerns about noise, energy use, heat, air quality, environmental impacts and the cumulative effect of major industrial developments near residential areas.

Economic development and technology are important, but they must never come at the expense of public health, the environment or the quality of life of local residents.

Government must require proper environmental assessment, meaningful community consultation and strong safeguards before major projects are approved.

People before profit.
Communities before convenience.

Taking Responsibility means supporting progress without sacrificing the people who live beside it.

Melbourne’s North has been overlooked for too long. Our communities continue to grow, yet essential infrastructure has failed to keep pace.

Somerton Road should have been duplicated years ago. Donnybrook Road faces the same pressures.

Bus and rail services remain too infrequent in many areas and are struggling to keep up with rapidly growing suburbs. Meanwhile, billions of dollars continue to be spent elsewhere.

The North deserves its fair share.

Investment should follow population growth, community need and years of infrastructure pressure.

Taking Responsibility means delivering the roads, transport and infrastructure Melbourne’s North has waited too long for.

Melbourne’s North deserves better access to healthcare.

We need:

• A fully functioning hospital with 24-hour emergency care in Melbourne’s North.
• Expanded urgent-care capacity.
• More doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
• Expanded mental health services.
• Better alcohol and other drug treatment and support services.
• Health infrastructure that keeps pace with population growth.

Your postcode should never determine how long you wait for healthcare.

Healthcare investment must reflect the needs of one of Victoria’s fastest-growing communities.

Pain doesn’t wait.
Why should our healthcare system?

A doctor when you need one.
A hospital when you need it.