My name is Sheneli Dona and I am a 24-year-old independent candidate contesting the seat of Hume at the upcoming federal election against the incumbent and Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor.
I am a lawyer and have been widely involved in human rights as an advisor to international governments and civil society since the age of 15 but when I was first posed the question of whether I would consider contesting in the widely discussed 2022 election, I gave a firm ‘NO’.
Why, you may ask. Well, for the same reason why you may have also lost trust in our current government and perceive the frailty of our future if we continue the current course set by the current government. The thought of becoming a “politician” somehow went against everything I stand for: honesty, openness, and transparency.
I soon realised that this is part of the problem. The sheer fact that we see politics as some sort of man-made ‘monster’ with exaggerated tentacles covering the areas of corruption, agendas, growing distrust, monopolisation and creating an atmosphere that defies the safety and rights of women. Of course, that is not to say that our current government has not done any good for our citizens. But it is to say that some of our politicians are not what they should be and defy the essence of their powers under our Constitution and the fundamentals of democracy.
Yes, a humanitarian would always clash with a politician, but why not immerse the two and restore a moral compass into politics where the rights and needs of our citizens are placed into the core of political debates.
That was my catalyst. To create change and to rattle the cage internally. I stand for honest, open and transparent politics and I will become an instrument to amplify the voices of the Hume. One does not need to be a certain ‘type’ of person to be a walk in the halls of Parliament, you need only hold a moral compass and you are halfway there.
I have had enough. I am seeing the aftermath of inconsiderate policies and a lack of community consultation. That is why in this year’s election I am committed to honest, open and transparent politics; to rebuild representative democracy on community consultation and citizen-centric processes; commit to climate strategy and not treat it as a political football; respect and diversity; to advance our healthcare services, aged care services and infrastructure; and finally, a sustainable future to protect our environment without disrupting the livelihood of our citizens.
I will be everything that Angus Taylor isn’t.
I am Lilac. I am progress, honesty, transparency and justice.