17c起草社区

As a part of 17c起草社区鈥檚聽series ahead of the 2025 federal election, we鈥檙e profiling the candidates running in the electorate of聽 Wentworth.

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With voters in Wentworth heading to the polls, 17c起草社区IA+ rights are front and centre. From healthcare and housing to anti-discrimination protections, the next federal government will help shape the future of the 17c起草社区IA+ community across the country.

This year’s six candidates include Nick Ward (Greens), Ro Knox (Liberal), Savanna Peake (Labor), Michael Richmond (Independent), Allegra Spender (Independent) and James Sternell (One Nation).

Nick Ward – Greens for Wentworth

A gay man, father, scientist, and corporate professional, Nick Ward is a passionate advocate for Wentworth’s diverse community聽committed to creating a fairer future for all.

Now running with the Greens, Ward鈥檚 been fighting for LGBQTIA+ rights long before it was trending鈥� and he’s more determined than ever聽to close the gaps in Wentworth that still leave 17c起草社区IA+ Australians vulnerable.

“Back in the early 1990s I chaired the Queensland Association for Gay Law Reform, where successfully fought to overturn anti-gay laws鈥� he reflects.

Ward is not interested in incremental change鈥攈e wants transformation. At the top of his list? Creating an LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner.

鈥淒iscrimination and hate attacks鈥攅specially against trans and gender diverse people鈥攁re still happening regularly,鈥� he says.

His plan includes fully publicly funded gender-affirming care, along with every government-funded service held to inclusion standards.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not only a right鈥攊t鈥檚 a public health requirement,鈥� he says, pledging to fund public education campaigns to promote understanding and mandate anti-discrimination measures for all government-funded services.

He also advocates for making PrEP and PEP free on the PBS, stating, 鈥淭hese are key to preventative health regarding HIV, and should be available to everyone, no matter their income.鈥�

Ward is also sharply focused on restoring a sense of queer connection. 鈥淲e need funding for LGBTIQA+ specific health and mental health programs and services and I would support funding being put into community-building initiatives,鈥� he says, including backing efforts like JoyFM鈥檚 expansion.

On protecting events like Drag Storytime, he鈥檚 unequivocally fired up. “Community events are vital for embracing diversity, we must ensure these events are safe, while providing opportunities for the broader community to embrace our queerness,” he emphasises.

And when it comes to legal protections, Ward doesn鈥檛 sugar coat it. 鈥淓quality must always be without exception. Unless a discriminating party can prove the necessity then is must be illegal.鈥�

Ward ends with a challenge to voters: ‘If you think politicians are all the same and change is impossible, give me a chance to prove you wrong.鈥�

Ro Knox – Liberal for Wentworth

Ro Knox knows Wentworth鈥檚 LGBTIQA+ community is central to its spirit 鈥� and says the Liberal Party has a stronger legacy on equality than people think.

鈥淭he Liberal Party has a proud record of advancing LGBTIQA+ rights,鈥� Knox says, pointing to milestones like marriage equality, the apology to the 78ers, funding for PrEP, and removing historic gay convictions.

鈥淲e鈥檝e also supported LGBTIQA+ Australians being properly recognised in the national Census when Labor flip flopped.鈥� adds Knox.

Knox adamantly says that her commitment to equality isn鈥檛 just politics鈥攊t鈥檚 about protection, visibility and inclusion. 鈥淚鈥檓 committed to making sure every person feels safe, valued and supported鈥攂ecause our diversity is our strength.鈥�

That means backing inclusive healthcare access and promising to fight discrimination in practice, not just principle. 鈥淗ealthcare should be accessible for everyone,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 support services that help people access the care they need, when they need it, without discrimination.鈥�

She also says she will champion local queer groups, ensuring they 鈥渁re recognised, valued, and have opportunities to grow and thrive.鈥�

As for protections, she鈥檚 direct. 鈥淚 believe strongly in anti-discrimination protections. I will support a balanced approach that upholds the rights of LGBTIQA+ Australians,鈥� vows Knox.

For a Liberal candidate in a progressive electorate, it鈥檚 a bold pitch. And in a race where perception defines, Knox is asking voters to look past the brand鈥揳nd judge her by her actions.

Savanna Peake – Labor

鈥淲entworth is a community that stands for fairness, equality, and inclusion,鈥� says Savanna Peake, a proud lesbian woman ready to fight for change. With a strong focus on 17c起草社区IA+ rights and social justice, she鈥檚 determined to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, feels safe and valued in her electorate.

Peake isn鈥檛 running on talking points鈥攕he鈥檚 living them. 鈥淚鈥檓 a proud member of my 17c起草社区IA+ community,鈥� Peake says. 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l continue to fight for our rights.鈥�

For Peake, it鈥檚 about turning lived experience into law. Her pitch is closely tied to Labor鈥檚 record including the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People and the $15.5 million already invested based on community input.

鈥淭his is about culturally safe, evidence-based care that reflects real lives.鈥�

Now, she says the next step is $10 million to boost Medicare access and help care providers offer more inclusive services.

On trans rights, Peake is loud and clear. 鈥淭he trans community has my unwavering support, now and always, whether elected or not鈥� she says.

She also praises the Labor government for actively addressing attacks on trans and gender-diverse people. “Wherever possible, Labor has ensured issues impacting trans and gender diverse Australians are dealt with by medical experts informed by people with lived experience and taken out of the political fray,鈥� Peake adds.

Peake also stands staunchly behind queer institutions like Qtopia, vowing to champion these groups in Parliament. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud we鈥檝e committed funding to outlets鈥攊ncluding 17c起草社区,鈥� she says, 鈥淏ecause we know how important it is to have our voices out there.鈥�

And on public events like Drag Storytime? 鈥淚鈥檒l always back LGBTIQA+ events and I鈥檒l continue to do so because all of these events should be able to go ahead in a safe, supportive environment.鈥�

Ultimately, Peake urges voters to back a future rooted in equality, ensuring that the rights of everyone in the community are not just protected but vastly improved.

Michael Richmond – Independent

 

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Michael Richmond may be the independent in the race, but he鈥檚 not on the fence when it comes to 17c起草社区IA+ rights.

鈥淚n a time where antisemitism and other forms of hate are rising, we must rebuild mutual respect,鈥� Richmond says. For him, that starts with community care and mental health at the centre of everything.

He鈥檚 calling for Medicare to fully cover therapy, especially for 17c起草社区IA+ Australians exploring or affirming their gender identity. 鈥淣o one should have to choose between their identity and financial security,鈥� he says. 鈥淢ental health is as essential as clean water.鈥�

While he doesn’t have a full plan for queer organisation funding yet, he鈥檚 open. 鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 focused on foundational issues like housing and inequality鈥攂ut I absolutely see the value these groups bring.鈥�

When it comes to safety at community events, he鈥檚 vocal on the need for protection. “I plan to introduce stronger protections against hate crimes, ensuring that community events鈥攅specially those promoting inclusion鈥攃an proceed safely and without intimidation.”

Michael offers a quiet pitch but for Wentworth voters tired of party spin, it’s one of empathy and integrity that might be the one to land.

Allegra Spender – Independent

 

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Allegra Spender wants Wentworth to reflect the values she grew up with鈥攃ompassion, inclusion, and integrity. 鈥淭his community is vibrant, thoughtful, inclusive, and passionate,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t deserves a representative who listens, acts with integrity, and truly puts the community first.鈥�

As an independent, she says she鈥檚 not bound by party directives. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 answer to party bosses鈥擨 answer to you,鈥� says the MP, promising to vote in line with Wentworth鈥檚 values, not party lines.

17c起草社区IA+ rights are central to Spender鈥檚 platform. 鈥淟aw reform to crack down on hate speech and stop discrimination against 17c起草社区+ people in religious schools are top of the pile,鈥� she says.

For Spender, that includes boosting investment in healthcare, particularly gender-affirming care, and standing up to those who 鈥渨eaponise these issues as part of US-style culture wars.鈥�

She has proudly signed the Trans Justice Pledge鈥攃alling it a public commitment to the 鈥渇ight for freedom and equality of trans and gender-diverse people.鈥�

She says trans people deserve 鈥渄ignity, safety, and access to healthcare,鈥� promising to actively challenge prejudice and push for increased funding in mental health and support services.

Spender also calls for stronger anti-discrimination laws.

鈥淥ur current laws are completely out of step with community expectations. 17c起草社区+ students and teachers are still being kicked out of religious schools because of who they are and who they love,鈥� she says.

Despite urging both major parties to act, she says progress has stalled. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 put issues like this in the 鈥榯oo hard鈥� basket because the Liberal Party won鈥檛 support change,鈥� says Spender.

If re-elected, Spender plans to keep these issues firmly on the agenda and stay driven by community.

Spender鈥檚 message to 17c起草社区IA+ voters: safety, reform and equal treatment should never depend on political convenience.

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For more information on the 2025 federal election, your electorate, or to check your voting information is up to date, head to聽.

James Sternell (One Nation) did not respond by the time of publication