Politics should be about listening to people, discussing ideas and finding practical solutions. Too often, adversarial debate and party rivalries leave people feeling disconnected from the decisions that affect their lives.

A community independent aims to put local representation first: listening to the community, bringing its priorities to Parliament and reporting back on decisions and progress.

Party representatives can advocate for their communities, but also work within their party’s policies and voting rules. An independent can consider each issue on its merits and vote according to the needs of their district.

An independent candidate stands without being endorsed by a political party. “Community independent” describes an approach built around local participation, listening and accountability; it is not a separate legal category of candidate.

Lou has been endorsed by Voices for Goulburn Valley, a local community group. Its community listening activities engaged more than 1,000 people across the region, and the priorities in its Community Listening Report have helped shape Lou’s positions.

An independent can raise local issues in Parliament, scrutinise legislation, propose amendments, ask questions of ministers and serve on parliamentary committees.

When a government needs crossbench support to pass legislation, independents can negotiate for changes. In a hung parliament, that influence can be especially significant. Their support is not needed for every bill: it depends on the numbers and how other members vote.

An independent can also advocate directly for local services and investment, regardless of which party forms government.

No. Lou will leave voters to decide their own order of preferences. Your vote is your choice.

For the Shepparton District lower house election, number every box on the ballot paper in your preferred order. Political parties and candidates cannot control how you number your ballot.

Consider each candidate’s policies, plans and values when making your decision. For instructions covering both ballot papers, visit the VEC’s guide to completing your ballot papers.

The Goulburn Valley grows around 90% of Australia’s pears. The pear celebrates our region’s growers, food manufacturing industry and strong connection to the land — making it a fitting symbol for Lou’s campaign.

Read more about Australian pears.

We wanted a distinctive, welcoming colour palette that reflects Lou and our region. Pear green connects the campaign to the Goulburn Valley’s fruit-growing heritage.

Purple, white and green also have a longstanding association with the women’s suffrage movement. Purple has represented dignity, white purity and green hope.

For Lou, white also has a playful personal meaning: “debutante white” for her first campaign as a candidate.

Eligible political donations of $2 or more, made by an individual in a personal capacity, may be tax deductible. The annual deduction limit for gifts and contributions to independent candidates and members is $1,500 in total, not $1,500 per candidate. Eligibility conditions apply, including rules about when donations to candidates are made. Keep your receipt and check the ATO’s guidance before claiming.

Victorian donation disclosure rules and caps also apply. For the current 2026 election period, please check the VEC’s donor guidance and current thresholds and caps. These amounts and rules can change.

Contact the campaign before making a large donation so we can confirm the applicable cap and disclosure requirements. A higher cap only applies once a candidate has been registered by the VEC as a new entrant; being a first-time candidate alone does not qualify.