Paul Lindemann

I am standing as the Liberal Party candidate for Williamstown. I’ve been a Liberal Party member for several years and, like many locals, became increasingly concerned about the rising cost of living and community safety. Rather than simply complain about these issues, I decided to step up and do something about them.

Preference decisions are a matter for the Liberal Party, our campaign team and the party directors.

Data centres are an important and growing industry, and I believe Australia is only beginning to see the scale of development that is coming. However, growth in this industry must not come at the expense of the liveability of our local communities.

We already have an operational data centre in Brooklyn, with a further proposed development in Brooklyn and Spotswood. I have visited the potential Spotswood site and met with Emma McLean from the kinder located across the road from the proposed development.

Under a Liberal and Nationals Government, data centres will not be built in residential areas, next to residential areas or in green wedge zones. Instead, they will be located in designated Data Centre Precincts, appropriately separated from where people live.

We will provide clear guidelines about where data centres can and cannot be built. This will give residents confidence that their neighbourhoods are protected, while providing industry with certainty about where development can occur.

Labor’s approach has been haphazard, allowing developments to proceed in inappropriate locations and leaving residents without a meaningful say.

Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can get the balance right between securing the benefits of this industry and protecting the liveability of our communities.

Through my conversations with residents during this campaign, I’ve heard firsthand about the challenges people face accessing reliable public transport across the western suburbs.

In parts of Altona, residents have told me that public transport infrastructure and service frequency simply aren’t meeting their needs. People deserve reliable services that connect them to work, education and essential services.

I believe we need to take a broader look at public transport across the west, ensuring investment is directed where it will make the greatest difference to residents.

Safety is also a major concern. We will put PSOs back into stations to help ensure people feel safe using public transport, particularly at night.

Air quality is an important issue for residents across Melbourne’s west, and I believe our community deserves greater transparency and action.

An elected Wilson Government has a plan for solar parks and battery installations on commercial and industrial rooftops.

Locally, I would like to see additional air-quality monitoring stations across Hobsons Bay.

Residents deserve to understand the quality of the air they breathe and have confidence that their concerns are being addressed.

Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Victorians, and it’s an issue I regularly discuss with my own children. I worry about what their future will look like and whether they will be able to afford a home of their own.

Homelessness is also a very real issue across the Williamstown district. We have social housing communities locally, and we need to ensure that people experiencing homelessness can access the support and accommodation they need.

A Wilson Liberal Government will focus on increasing housing supply, fast-tracking growth areas and restoring local planning control so communities have a greater say in how their neighbourhoods develop.

We will also reduce stamp duty for first-home buyers purchasing properties up to $1 million, helping more young Victorians get into the housing market.

Locally, I want to work with councils, community organisations and housing providers to ensure that new housing is supported by the infrastructure and services our community needs.

We need a housing system that gives people a genuine opportunity to own a home, while ensuring those experiencing homelessness are not left behind.

Abortion will not change under a Liberal and Nationals Government.

Community safety is one of the issues I hear about most often from residents across the Williamstown electorate.

Recently, I was shocked to learn that a person who had committed a serious crime against an elderly resident was back out on the street. While the offender was wondering freely, the victim was left frightened to leave the safety of their own home.

That simply isn’t fair.

Under Labor, too many families have been impacted by crime.

A Wilson Liberal Government will re-open more than 40 police stations that have closed or had their operating hours reduced, including Williamstown Police Station.

We will fill 1,500 existing police vacancies and fund an additional 1,500 police officers to help protect our communities.

We will introduce a one-strike approach for repeat offenders across 20 serious offences and expand adult sentencing provisions to cover 20 offences, including carjacking, burglary, arson and home invasion.

We will also invest $100 million in early intervention programs, including Restart and Youth Start, to help prevent youth crime before it begins.

Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and throughout their community.

A Fresh Start for Safer Communities.