Michelle Milthorpe with her campaign team, Beth Sainty-Gale and Malina Ellis.
Independent candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe has regional access at the top of her priorities and says people shouldn’t miss out because of their postcode.
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Mrs Milthorpe grew up with politics as a normal part of family discussions, and something everyone was happy to talk about it, even if they disagreed.
She described her family as “political beasts” but with no one party represented.
“Sometimes we have to agree to disagree,” she said.
“My grandparents cancelled each other’s vote out.”
The former schoolteacher initially found herself in the political arena while fighting for her young daughters who were sexually assaulted by a close family friend.
“We went through the court process thinking that was the way to empower them and to get some justice,” she said.
“Eventually he was found guilty, but the court process was horrifying for them.
“We couldn’t get any traction to create changes for things they already had solutions for.”
A pilot program in Sydney and Newcastle, designed to help children going through the court system with communication, was denied to Mrs Milthorpe’s daughters, “not because they didn’t deserve it, but because of where they lived”.
She lobbied to have the program extended across the state and eventually, with 69,000 signatures, then Premier, Dominic Perrottet secured bipartisan agreement and the program was rolled out across New South Wales.
“Regional kids should be able to participate equitably in the court system,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“They were missing out because of where they lived, because of their postcode.”
Disparities in access to childcare, GPs, Urgent Care Centres and aged care now fuel her campaign.
Independent Michelle Milthorpe is ready to take on incumbent Susan Ley and the Liberals for the seat of Farrer.
“I am so sick of sick of the divisive party politics,” she said.
“If I behaved that way in my workplace, I’d be asked to leave.
“I looked at the major parties and thought ‘I don’t fit there’, I don’t like being told how to think without discernment of information and seeking expert advice.
“You can only really do that as an Independent.”
Mrs Milthorpe was inspired by Independent MPs, like Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilke, Helen Haines and state MP Helen Dalton, and how they were getting things done, but says she doesn’t necessarily agree with some of the Sydney Independents.
“Their context is different to ours; it’s not what we need,” she said.
“Our food and energy come from regional Australia, where water and access to water is a massive issue.
“People are so fatigued by this issue and being painted as not caring for the environment.
The idea that being a food producer means you can’t care for the environment; this division is not a truth.
“The idea that being a food producer means you can’t care for the environment; this division is not a truth.
“It’s frustrating that the seat of Farrer is considered so safe, our opinions don’t matter.
“(We) shouldn’t have to fight so hard for … access to a hospital that meets the needs of our growing community.
Michelle Milthorpe won’t be drawn on preferences.
She is asking constituents to Vote 1 for her and then to order every box in order of their own preference.
She says a hung parliament is an exciting opportunity and that she can’t see herself aligning with any party.
“Regional focus becomes part of every decision,” she said.
“I want to be present in the electorate, consistent, and make sure I’m representing our needs so regional Australia can thrive into the future.”
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