Across Australia and in our electorate of Forrest, highly divisive populist forces are at work. Indifference, apathy and disengagement leave people open to simplistic slogans and loud self-serving voices. Government corruption is high and on the rise. There are massive problems that affect many people in our electorate: housing and homelessness, cost of living, growing inequality, lack of essential services. These increased pressures on ordinary people make it hard for them to find time for thinking about and engaging with civic discourse. And not one of our elected representatives seem to be able to help.
Voices of Forrest is a growing movement of locals who want better than party politics as usual. We’re united by a commitment to strengthen our democracy by putting local people at the centre of decision-making. From the thousands of conversations VFF had across our electorate so far, it’s clear that Forrest wants local representation, long-term solutions and integrity returned to our politics. We want political representatives who genuinely listen and answer to our communities - not vested or party interests.
Our Vision:
A future where the Forrest electorate has a representative who is grounded in the community, shaped by listening, and accountable to the people they serve.
Our Purpose:
Voices for Forrest (VFF) is a grassroots community-led political group. 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.
Simply, our purpose is to listen and improve political representation for our electorate.
Our Values:
- COMMUNITY: We seek to understand the diversity of views in our community. We welcome all points of view.
- ENVIRONMENT: We base our response to environmental issues on ecological wisdom and scientific evidence.
- RESPECT: We commit to inclusive engagement and open-minded listening. We consider all points of view.
- INTEGRITY: We build trust by acting according to our values at all times and with openness and honesty. We walk the talk.
- POSITIVITY: We seek to inspire people to work together to create workable solutions that will benefit our electorate now and in the future.
-
SUSTAINABILITY: We acknowledge planetary boundaries and act accordingly in our personal, public and business lives because we feel a responsibility to future generations.