Let me tell you a story.

It’s 5.30 pm and our guest speaker hasn’t arrived. The Minister for Justice is stuck in a plane circling Melbourne, unable to land. It seems fitting. It was Senator Ellison who earlier in 2003 declared that slavery did not exist in Australia. For months, despite the evidence, he and the Howard government refused to acknowledge that women were being trafficked for prostitution.

In 1998, I set up Project Respect to expose the treatment of trafficked women. In 2003, I initiated a high-profile campaign to get action on slavery.

When the minister finally arrived and started speaking we knew we had won a significant victory.  The government would abolish mandatory detention of trafficked women, he announced, support victims, change the law and ensure the Federal police charged traffickers. Nine out of ten of our demands had been met. Women’s lives would be transformed.

What did this teach me? That by staying true to a vision of a fairer world, and with effective negotiation and hard work, it is possible to win unlikely outcomes, sometimes from the most unlikely people.

Let me tell you now why I am asking you to vote to send these skills and experience into the Senate.

Our next Senate candidate will play a crucial role in the fight to combat climate change and make Australia fairer. First though, they must not just get elected, but drive up our vote around the state and ensure Adam Bandt retains Melbourne.

What will they need to do that?

We will need a candidate who has vision and unshakeable faith in the possibility of change. Someone strategic who grasps complex issues. Someone who voters across the state will trust to stand up for them. Someone who will stay true to Greens values while they negotiate outcomes. A team player who complements the skills of our federal MPs.

Let me tell you why I believe I am that candidate.

Tested
I bring twenty-five years of effective advocacy. At Project Respect I put slavery on the national agenda. At the City of Yarra, I introduced a relationship register and instituted a simple but effective mechanism that guarantees funding for energy saving initiatives that can be paid back within ten years. At Women’s Health In The North I made climate change a priority and with other women’s health CEOs successfully lobbied MPs to decriminalise abortion.

Committed to Greens priorities
I understand the importance of a safe economy for the climate, a decent health system, quality education that increases fairness, and respect for human rights. I am passionate about dismantling barriers faced by people with a disability and indigenous people and ending policies that punish asylum seekers. I know too that to win change we must be economically credible.

Experienced candidate with profile
I have run three times for the Greens. The first time, I was elected to Yarra Council. Next, as Deputy Mayor for the City of Melbourne with Adam Bandt as Lord Mayor candidate, we almost doubled the vote. Most recently, as Richmond candidate, with hundreds of dedicated campaigners, we ran a high profile campaign. My profile and my commitment to building strong teams would be an asset in the federal campaign.

Strategic
In Richmond, we won the 3.6% swing we had thought we needed but didn’t win the seat. Losing concentrates the mind. Since then, I have researched strategies to increase our vote, helping the party in Victoria and beyond to craft smarter, more effective campaigns. I’m passionate about making the most of our resources, including the amazing skills of party members.

Contribute to federal team
Voters want to know they can trust us to protect their interests, particularly when they feel vulnerable. This will be crucial when climate change bites even harder. I have a proven record of standing up for people and my expertise in social policy complements the strengths of the current federal MPs.

Represent the whole state
I’ve led organisations that serve Melbourne’s East and North, and done electoral research about the West. I can use my deep knowledge of the federal seat of Melbourne to help Adam win. Last year, I visited branches across the state to share my electoral research. As Senate candidate I would want to deepen my knowledge, particularly in regional Victoria. If I am pre-selected I pledge to visit every branch in 2012 to listen to, and learn from you.

We urgently need more Greens in Federal parliament. I want to work with you to elect another Senator and keep Adam in the House. I hope you will vote for me as your Senate candidate.