Bayswater State Election 2026 Platform

Emergency Services Resources and Support

Concern: Do Victoria's police, firefighters, ambulance personnel and other emergency responders have sufficient resources to meet community needs? Key Points Emergency services depend on trained personnel, suitable equipment and effective coordination. Demand for emergency assistance can vary because of population growth, natural disasters, crime and health emergencies. Staffing levels alone do not establish whether a service is adequately resourced. Response times, workload,

3 minutes ago1 min read

Victoria's Government Debt and Spending

The concern Victoria has accumulated substantial government debt, raising questions about the sustainability of public spending and the financial burden on future generations. Some residents believe the government should reduce expenditure and prioritise debt repayment, even if this means delaying projects or reducing certain services. Others argue that government investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education and other essential services remains important for Victoria's

8 minutes ago1 min read

Shift Work, Sleep and Community Noise

Concern: Are shift workers receiving adequate protection from fatigue, disrupted sleep and the demands of working outside normal daytime hours? Key Points Shift workers provide essential services across healthcare, emergency services, hospitality, transport, security and many other industries. Working overnight or irregular hours can disrupt normal sleep patterns and contribute to fatigue. Fatigue can affect concentration, reaction times, decision-making and physical health.

3 days ago2 min read

Emergency Services Resources and Support

Concern: Do Victoria's police, firefighters, ambulance personnel and other emergency responders have sufficient resources to meet community needs? (You may also be interested in "Shift Work, Sleep and Community Noise" which also affects emergency services.) Key Points Emergency services depend on trained personnel, suitable equipment and effective coordination. Demand for emergency assistance can vary because of population growth, natural disasters, crime and health emergenci

3 days ago1 min read

Road Maintenance and Potholes

Concern: Are Victorian roads being maintained adequately to ensure safety and reliable travel? Key Points Road surfaces deteriorate through traffic, weather, ageing and other factors. Potholes can damage vehicles and create safety risks for motorists, cyclists and other road users. Responsibility for road maintenance is divided between state authorities and local councils, depending on the road. Road repairs can involve temporary patching, resurfacing or more extensive recons

3 days ago1 min read

Public Transport and Major Infrastructure

Concern: Is Victoria investing in the transport infrastructure needed to support population growth and changing community needs? Key Points Population growth can increase demand for roads, public transport and other infrastructure. Melbourne Airport Rail is being developed in stages, including work around Sunshine Station to support future rail connections. Development work for the Melton Line electrification project includes planning, investigations and design. Funding for d

3 days ago1 min read

Immigration, Criminal Convictions and Visa Cancellation

Concern: How should Australia respond when a non-citizen commits a serious criminal offence? Key Points Australian law allows visas to be refused or cancelled on character grounds, including certain criminal convictions. Under the Migration Act 1958, some visa cancellations are mandatory when specified legal conditions are met. A person whose visa has been cancelled may have access to a review or revocation process, depending on the circumstances. Visa cancellation and remova

3 days ago1 min read

Homelessness and Mental Health Support

Concern: Are people experiencing homelessness receiving sufficient housing, health and social support? Key Points Homelessness does not always mean sleeping on the street. It can also involve temporary accommodation, overcrowded housing or staying with other people because suitable housing is unavailable. Contributing circumstances may include unaffordable housing, unemployment, family violence, relationship breakdown and health problems. Mental health conditions can contribu

3 days ago1 min read

Crime, Sentencing and Community Safety

Concern: Are criminal penalties, rehabilitation programs and crime prevention measures providing sufficient protection for the community? Key Points Crime affects individuals, families, businesses and communities in different ways. Criminal penalties depend on the offence, individual circumstances and applicable laws. Imprisonment, rehabilitation, supervision and crime prevention serve different purposes within the justice system. Crime statistics should distinguish between r

3 days ago1 min read

Wealth Inequality and Economic Opportunity

Concern: Is Australia's economic system providing fair opportunities for people to improve their financial circumstances? Key Points Wealth is distributed unevenly across Australian households. In 2022–23, Australia's wealth inequality measure was 0.606, down from 0.628 in 2018–19. Although inequality decreased over this period, substantial differences in household wealth remain. Property ownership, investments, wages, inheritance and access to education can affect people's a

3 days ago1 min read

State government procurement and oversight

Concern: Are state governments sufficiently transparent when awarding contracts and managing public money? Key points Government procurement involves decisions about purchasing goods, services and infrastructure using public funds. Poor procurement practices can increase costs, reduce competition and create conflicts of interest. The contributor mentions COVID-19 procurement and an incident called "Slug Gate". These require specific cases and supporting evidence before being

3 days ago1 min read

Defence recruitment, morale and accountability

Concern: Can Australia recruit and retain sufficient Defence personnel while maintaining public confidence in military leadership and accountability? Key points The ADF has experienced recruitment and workforce shortages. Permanent ADF personnel increased from 57,245 in June 2024 to 58,909 in June 2025. Transparency Portal Recruitment difficulties have been linked to labour-market conditions, recruitment processes and eligibility requirements. Australian National Audit Office

3 days ago1 min read

National security and foreign investment

Concern: Should foreign companies be permitted to control or operate infrastructure considered important to Australia's national security? Key points In 2015, a Chinese-owned company obtained a 99-year lease over the Port of Darwin. A 2023 Australian Government review concluded that existing security arrangements were sufficient and that cancelling the lease was unnecessary. The arrangement remains a subject of political debate. Parliament of Australia+1 Australia has restric

3 days ago1 min read

Political integrity and accountability

Concern: Are governments sufficiently transparent and accountable for their decisions? Key points Governments are subject to audits, parliamentary scrutiny, integrity investigations and other oversight processes. The effectiveness of these processes depends on their powers, independence, transparency and how findings are acted upon. An investigation does not automatically establish wrongdoing. Possible improvements Publish clearer information about government decisions and ex

3 days ago1 min read

What Concerns You

This page will be dedicated to what concerns people in Vic. What you are looking for, what you think needs fixing. What will help your life be better. How things should be run. What should be created. What needs to be better. I am still collating information from everyone. Coming Soon!

Sep 121 min read

Mathew Clarke - Independent

Concerns list. Mine and yours.

Discussions that I find important regarding Victoria (and Australia) are just as important as what you find important. I am not as important as you all are as a group. If I am to represent you all and bring life to what you believe needs to be created or changed, then I need to put myself second. Let me know what you want and we will work on it together without bias, without the limitations of left, right, centrist, or trying to support a political party and its money donors.

Send me your ideas and thoughts. Or, ask a question HERE

These are added following emails, or what I read online that you are all talking about.

Make sure you comment on these posts so discussions continue to be relevant. We need solutions, and you are the best people to give them because you live here!

Note: if any information I read has bias, insults, mentions names, states a fact that can not be substantiated, or is irrelevant to the point being made, it may not be allowed to be added. Your emotional campaign is great for your own blog or social post and gives something people can root for. I wouldl ike to reserve this space for ideas, thoughts, and solutions. Thank you

Bayswater - Boronia - The Basin - Ferntree Gully - Wantirna

You Choose the Policies you want

Emergency Services Resources and Support

Victoria's Government Debt and Spending

Shift Work, Sleep and Community Noise

Emergency Services Resources and Support

Road Maintenance and Potholes

Public Transport and Major Infrastructure

Immigration, Criminal Convictions and Visa Cancellation

Homelessness and Mental Health Support

Crime, Sentencing and Community Safety

Wealth Inequality and Economic Opportunity

State government procurement and oversight

Defence recruitment, morale and accountability

National security and foreign investment

Political integrity and accountability

What Concerns You