By Parker McKenzie
Maya Tesa is running as an independent candidate in the Aston by-election on a libertarian platform of lower taxes and less government oversight.
The Eltham-based business owner said she decided to nominate as a candidate because she didn’t see anyone she would vote for.
“Libertarianism means living your life the way you want, without causing harm,” she said.
“We believe in free markets and small government.”
Ms Tesa, who was born in Lebanon but grew up in Victoria, previously ran in the 2022 state election as a Liberal Democrats candidate in the Upper House and received 4.16 per cent of the first preference votes
She said she wants to reduce the amount of taxes being taken out of everyone’s purse and let people live their lives.
“Right now, we can’t turn around or move without the government being in our lives.”
Policies listed on her website include lower taxes, education reform, reducing the cost of living, affordable and reliable energy, voluntary superannuation contributions and legalising cannabis.
Ms Tesa said Australia is currently nearly one trillion dollars in debt and something needs to change.
“We know most of that is coming from unwanted and unneeded government bureaucracy,” she said.
“An electorate like Aston is highly diverse, and a lot of people come to Australia to get an opportunity and the government is offering them handouts instead of a hand up.”
She said as a mother of four, she has always been involved in the local community.
“We need to get government out and bring community back in because the community gets things done,” she said.
“What we need to do is get the government out of our lives.”
She said looking at the political landscape, she is disappointed with what is on offer from the major parties.
“The federal government has been in power for nine months now, tell me what they’ve done?” she said.
“Are we more stable than we were 10 years ago? All they can do is throw blame at each other.”
The Aston by-election will be held on Saturday 1 April.
The Aston electorate covers Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin, Wantirna and Wantirna South, and parts of Lysterfield, Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.
