2026 Victorian State Election
Mathew Clarke — Independent Candidate for Bayswater

I am Mathew Clarke, an independent candidate for the Bayswater District at the 2026 Victorian State Election.

I am a devoted father who values the simple things in life — spending time with family and friends, being part of the community and enjoying the opportunities that Vic has to offer.

Raising young children has given me an even greater appreciation of the importance of creating a safe, supportive and affordable community where families and independent people can build a good life.

I work as a security specialist and have spent much of my working life in roles focused on helping and protecting people. I've also been involved in Melbourne's creative community for many years. I founded and run Melbourne Writers, a community that brings writers and creatives together to share their work, ideas, and experiences.

Writing remains a personal passion of mine. I enjoy writing novels in my spare time, with the hope that one day I can turn that passion into something more.

I am running as an independent because I believe Victoria deserves a representative whose first responsibility is to the people who elected them — not to a political party. They have their agenda. I'm interested in yours.

Links: Facebook Instagram WordPress YouTube

Why am I running?
I am running because I believe Vic deserves an independent representative whose first responsibility is to the people who elected them—not to a political party. Political parties have their own agendas, priorities and obligations. I don't. I'm interested in your agenda.

As a genuine independent, I have no political party directing how I should vote or telling me which position I must take. I believe an elected representative should listen to their community, consider the evidence and make decisions based on what is best for the people they represent.

I also believe voters deserve greater transparency about the influence that political parties can receive from organisations, interest groups, unions and businesses. Don't vote for a political party simply because it tells you what to think. Vote for someone who is prepared to listen to what you think.

A different approach to politics in 30 seconds
I am proposing a different way for an independent MP to represent your district. Instead of asking you to accept a fixed package of my policies, I want policy ideas to be considered individually, with the author hidden while people assess the idea. Voters would be able to see plain-language information, consider likely consequences and indicate what they support. The results would guide what I pursue and how I vote as your representative. It would not replace Parliament, and one MP cannot make law alone. The aim is simpler: give the electorate a stronger, more transparent say.

Read additional information for the proposed anonymous policy option HERE

Every election produces mountains of promotional material that is often discarded almost immediately. I don't believe taxpayers' or campaign resources should be wasted simply to put another piece of paper in your hand on the way into a polling booth.

I want to focus on the issues that matter to people in Vic rather than slogans, party talking points, and political games. If elected, my responsibility will be to the people.

I believe government should spend public money carefully and responsibly. Your money is not an unlimited resource, and every dollar spent should have a purpose that benefits the community.

Your voice. Your priorities. Your independent representative.
You shouldn't have to agree with me on everything. What I believe you should be able to expect is that I will listen to you, consider your concerns seriously, and represent you independently. I am not running to become another political party representative. I am running to be an independent voice for you.

Experienced Politicians.

An experienced Politician means they’re good at getting votes, not that they know how to fix Victoria. I'm sure you don't believe the treasurer sits with the other public servants who are accountants and helps them nut out a deal. Or that the health minister has a medical degree and makes good decisions based on his long-reaching medical experience.

They instead seek advice from the public servants working in those fields, or they seek out outside advisors, or other experts in their field. They are then briefed by these experts so they can make viable decisions.

Don't let the political parties make you think they are the only ones with the experience to make good decisions. Anyone who is elected will have the same access to the same, or similar, advisors.

FYI, I was a public servant outside of politics for 10 years.

2026 Victorian State Election

Candidate: Mathew Clarke
Electorate: Bayswater District
Position: Independent candidate
Election: 2026 Victorian State Election

If you would like to know more about my campaign, discuss an issue affecting you or find out how you can support the campaign, please get in touch through the contact details on this website.

Want to help?

If you believe Victroia deserves a genuinely independent voice, there are several ways you can support the campaign.

Send me questions, concerns, or issues you would like me to know about.
Follow the social links and like/share as much as you can.
Volunteer and help with the campaign.

Socials:

Policies

Not listing my ideas for policies means I am not telling the people what to do (even if I think my policies are very helpful). Policies are to be listed anonymously alongside those who would also like a say. Experts in their field (often experienced leaders within that particular department) will list probable outcomes, so that the people are fully informed. These policies would then become the best policies you (and I) could offer. Lastly, you will also get the opportunity to voice your opinion on the listed policies.

Why?

Simple: you are voting for popular slogans to give the political parties votes instead of well-thought-out policies that help you. Even now, many of you are thinking, but you need to list policies (slogans). How else do we know whether to vote for you or not?

This is exactly why policies need to be listed anonymously. If we don't do this now, we will be stuck in the cycle of voting for slogans that don't help us, and only help political parties get votes.

It's up to you to help me get into the Bayswater seat and change things. I can do it; I just need you to spread the word that a "1" needs to go next to my name in November 2026. It is the only way I can help (a voter places 1 beside the most-preferred candidate and numbers every remaining box in order of their preference).

If this has not answered your questions fully, then it is because it is a very brief summary. The entire website explains everything in more detail. Listing hundreds of pages of operating procedures would not be practical (I enjoy taking time out of my day/kids/job to help, but even my time is finite).

Want more than the summary? Go HERE

Want to know what concerns me and the people? We have begun a page listing ideas on the work required to help Victorians and the suburb they live in. Go HERE

I have consolidated the menu for this site to reduce ambiguity. However, if you want to read more, this covers even more details. Go HERE

Do you want to know why I changed from being a candidate in Melbourne to being a candidate in Bayswater? Go HERE

Bayswater - Boronia - The Basin - Ferntree Gully - Wantirna

You Choose the Policies you want