By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Independent candidate for the seat of Casey, Claire Ferres Miles, took part in the Mums of the Hills (MoTHs) online Candidate Forum, held on Sunday, 2 March.
Ms Ferres Miles highlighted her commitment to representing the community and spoke candidly about the issues facing local families.
Speaking about the forum, Ms Ferres Miles said it was an excellent opportunity for candidates to engage with the community.
“Every Candidate Forum is a fantastic opportunity for our community to meet and listen to all candidates for the Federal Election. I’d like to thank Mums of the Hills for hosting this event, which provided thoughtful and insightful questions,” she said.
The forum, attended by 62 participants, offered a platform for local parents and families in the Dandenong Ranges to raise concerns.
According to Ms Ferres Miles, many attendees shared frustrations with the current political system.
“People in Casey care deeply about our community and want action on the issues they care about. Casey has been represented by the Liberal Party for the past 40 years, and I ask the question – what has been delivered over these 40 years?”
She highlighted the “growing discontent” with the major political parties, adding that many people felt the government was more focused on corporate interests than the community.
The Independent Candidate referenced comments made by Zoe Daniel MP at the National Press Club earlier that week, which stated, “The real risk isn’t change – the real risk is expecting the same people to fix the problems they created.”
Ms Ferres Miles sees forums like that hosted by MoTHs as vital for ensuring that voters feel informed and empowered.
She said, as an Independent, she was free to speak up for the community and wasn’t beholden to a party line.
“My goal is for every voter in Casey to feel informed, empowered, and hopeful when they vote in this Federal Election,” she said.
“As a Community Independent, I am free to speak up for our community, not just toe the party line. My policies are the priority issues people want action on.”
Ms Ferres Miles said her policies reflect community concerns, and unlike party candidates, she’s free to vote based on what the community needs.
“The two-party system in Australia is broken. Casey is not a priority for either of the major parties, but we’re not immune to the problems facing the country,” she said.
“People want a representative who will listen to them, keep promises, and put their interests first – not the interests of corporations or donors.”
The issues discussed during the forum, including the cost-of-living crisis, housing affordability, and climate action, are areas Ms Ferres Miles said she was eager to tackle.
“In Casey, we have a cost-of-living crisis, a housing crisis, and a climate crisis. People are tired of one side saying yes and one side saying no. We need a government that works together for us,” she said.
