Lauren Green launches campaign for Wannon

COMMUNITY advocate Lauren Green will contest the federal seat of Wannon for the Greens, campaigning on climate action, cost-of-living relief and public services in an electorate that was once a Liberal stronghold.

Wannon, which stretches from Anglesea to the South Australian border, has historically been held by the Liberals, including former prime minister Malcolm Fraser from 1955 to 1983.

However, in 2022, incumbent Liberal MP Dan Tehan retained the seat with a smaller margin of 3.9 per cent, following a significant swing towards independent candidate Alex Dyson.

Ms Green said her decision to run was driven by growing frustration with government inaction.

“I decided to stand because I just think the world is in a pretty bad place right now.

“There are so many motivations, but honestly, the live-streamed genocide happening right now, the climate crisis, and the government not doing anything about it, that’s a huge motivator for me.

“I’m raising two young boys, and this isn’t the world I want them to grow up in, so I felt like it was my duty as a mum to step up and take serious action in our communities.”

Ms Green said cost-of-living pressures were among the biggest concerns she was hearing from voters.

“In my local community, we have limited childcare, one primary school that’s struggling with growing enrolments, and barely enough infrastructure to keep up.

“People are struggling with rent and mortgage repayments. Everyone is doing it tough.”

She said she was eager to engage with voters across Wannon’s mix of coastal, rural and regional communities.

“My job is to go out, listen and learn.”

This is Ms Green’s first time running for office, and she said she was approaching it with an open mind.

“I just want to go in with an open heart and listen to what people need in their communities to make them better and thriving places for families.”

Ms Green said she felt lucky to live in the region and wanted to protect it for future generations.

“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, with the Great Ocean Road, the Southern Ocean, and amazing coastal and country towns,” she said.

“I want to make sure it’s still thriving for our kids and their kids.”