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Welcome!

We are a grassroots community-led group that believes our political representatives have a responsibility to genuinely listen to, respond to, and support the people of the Forrest Community. At a time when trust in politics and democratic participation is declining, we aim to inspire people to engage and seek better representation. We’ll do this by listening, organising and responding to what matters most.

Our purpose is to ensure that the issues and concerns of the entire Forrest community are heard and understood by our elected Federal representative. We advocate for key shared concerns and demand action.

Have a look at our 3-minute intro:


Featured petition

Forrest demands a fair return on gas!

237 SIGNATURES
2,000 signatures

Australia exports more gas than almost any nation on earth. Gas companies are booking record revenues. And Australians are paying some of the highest energy prices in the world.

Our gas belongs to all of us. But a handful of corporations wrote themselves a deal that lets them take the profit and pay next to nothing - while families in Forrest can't get on top of the cost of living. 

A 25% gas export tax could raise $17 billion every year. Imagine what that could mean — better hospitals, cheaper childcare, more teachers in our classrooms, real action on housing affordability, and energy bills that don't keep climbing.

We're calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers to introduce a 25% gas export tax,  so this money finally works for the people who own it. Every signature adds to a growing, cross party call for change. The more of us who add our name, the harder this is to ignore. If you agree it's time Australians got a fair return on our resources instead of letting multinationals exploit them for next to nothing - add your name.

Senator David Pocock will be tabling this petition directly to make sure the decision-makers in Canberra know what we in Forrest want them to do. 

Will you add your name?

2,000 Signatures

237 Signatures

Will you sign?

Australia exports more gas than almost any nation on earth. Gas companies are booking record revenues. And Australians are paying some of the highest energy prices in the world.

Our gas belongs to all of us. But a handful of corporations wrote themselves a deal that lets them take the profit and pay next to nothing - while families in Forrest can't get on top of the cost of living. 

A 25% gas export tax could raise $17 billion every year. Imagine what that could mean — better hospitals, cheaper childcare, more teachers in our classrooms, real action on housing affordability, and energy bills that don't keep climbing.

We're calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers to introduce a 25% gas export tax,  so this money finally works for the people who own it. Every signature adds to a growing, cross party call for change. The more of us who add our name, the harder this is to ignore. If you agree it's time Australians got a fair return on our resources instead of letting multinationals exploit them for next to nothing - add your name.

Senator David Pocock will be tabling this petition directly to make sure the decision-makers in Canberra know what we in Forrest want them to do. 

Will you add your name?


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Our Executive Committee:

Thomas Chadwick
Convenor I have spent most of my life in the South West, and now my wife and I are raising our two young children in Busselton. I love our region, and as a long-time volunteer and community advocate, I’ve seen the power and strength of our community and the people who show up for it. But too often our politics isn’t delivering. Our representatives are not connected to the people they’re meant to serve, and many in our community feel unheard. I believe our movement is an effective and practical way to change that – by supporting representation that genuinely reflects our community, with a focus on integrity, transparency and evidence in decision-making. That’s why I volunteer with Voices for Forrest. The moment is right, and the movement is growing. If you want better representation for Forrest, join us. Come and have a conversation, and tell us what matters to you.
Jodi Larke
TreasurerA little bit about me; I live in Withers, I work in Health and have a Physiotherapy background, I am married with two young daughters and love to play hockey. I feel so lucky to live in such a magnificent place and I care deeply about our local environment and the people who live here.I joined Voices For Forrest because I believe in participatory democracy and I want Forrest to have political representatives that really listen to community and represent them well.
Sue Chapman
I'm pleased to return to the Voices for Forrest Committee.I intentionally stepped back after running as the Independent candidate in March 2025. I needed time to regroup, refresh and recommit. I am now incredibly excited by the opportunity to engage with our Electorate of Forrest and help bring about change in our representation. I firmly believe that our democracy needs interested individuals to join together to create opportunities for progressive politics to take centre stage.I am committed to bringing people together from all walks of life to ensure Forrest thrives as a connected, healthy community where our Federal Lower House Representative looks after our interests as a priority- not those of a Party.
Charlotte Rawlinson
Most of my life has been spent on a farm outside the bustle of the south west’s cities. Living in the country brings the environment close to your heart and grows a love of the world around you, which is where my political nature stems from. The farming community around me has found me looking to build that sort of reliable community throughout my life. Politics has seemed to follow me wherever I go, seeing those around me not served by our representatives, or struggling to keep up in our fast-paced world. This led me to the world of independent politics where I got involved with VFF after Sue’s incredible run in 2025 and have been amazed with where it’s taken me.  Advocating for the people of my community has taken me from State Youth Parliament to disability advocacy with CYDA, and doing interviews with the ABC, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next. Seeing the communities around me thrive is what encourages me to keep going, and seeing things get done by our government for the good of its citizens is the end goal.
David Mitchell
I have been impacted by my time growing up in the South West, Perth, Sydney and London.I am actively involved in the Save Smiths Beach Again campaign that has been one of the longest political battles in Forrest. I have also been involved in the ‘Voices’ movement in WA for the last 4 years and have a passion for community advocacy on planning and environmental issues affecting the region.
Trish Delaney
The Shire of Dardanup has been home since 2009. Over the years, I have volunteered for Bunbury Fringe, Bunbury Neighbourhood Soup, TEDx Bunbury, Boomerang Bags, Responsible Runners, Greater Bunbury Partnerships in Prosperity and Bunbury Insight Food Truck Festival. During summer, you'll find me down at Koombana playing beach volleyball. I love where we live and enjoy getting involved in the events that bring us together.I joined V4F during the last election. Being from the states and watching what happens when citizens become complacent has motivated me to become more active in our democracy. We all have a responsibility to ensure we pass on a better world to younger generations and I believe it starts local.  Who we vote in to represent us matters, and I want to make sure I do my part to prepare our community for the next election.
Wendy Astbury
I moved to Australind in 2000 after 20 years in the Pilbara. I’ve always been involved in community groups, particularly in relation to those working to save & restore the natural environment. I’m a mother & grandmother, so I want our world to provide a secure future for them.

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