NAME: James Unkles
PARTY: United Australia Party – Chirnside Park
OCCUPATION: Lawyer/ Mediator
AGE: Unspecified
1. Why did you decide to run at this election?
I cannot remain silent and ignore the corruption of the Labor Government in Victoria. I have to act for the Eastern Region and for all Victorians, to put Victoria first above Labor’s mates! Time to clean out the corruption in Victoria by holding the Labor Party to account. It is time to vote for real change, get rid of Labor that has sold Victorians out, and put Dan Andrews’ interests first, not yours!
2. Why do you believe you’re the best candidate for the Eastern Region?
I have been resident of the Eastern Region for 40 years. I have a proud history of serving communities through State and Commonwealth organisations, including as a Commissioned officer in the RAN for over 35 years. I possess the necessary leadership skills, drive and ethical standards to represent the community.
3. What are the biggest three issues in the electorate and how will you tackle them?
– Massive, environmentally ugly, industrial off shore wind turbines that won’t provide sustainable, and costs effective power
– Action to conserve our coast instead of Labor/Greens polices that will destroy our natural beauty
– Labor wastage instead of providing first class medical and ambulance services
NAME: Thomas A Forrest (Tom)
PARTY: Legalise Cannabis Party – Mount Evelyn
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Agronomist/Cultivation Director
1. Why did you decide to run at this election?
I decided to run at this election as I believe there is inherent need for change in our societal approach to cannabis. From the usage of hemp, to our regulatory approach to medicinal and adult-use recreational cannabis commodities, we have the ability to improve the current status quo.
I would like to be a part of the change that allows for pragmatic hemp and cannabis industries, fostering industry growth, safe production and consumption, and nurtures novel industries to exist in Australia.
We are still enduring the hangover of prohibition and a ‘dangerous plant’ mentality. I believe a legalise cannabis political movement can help to reduce societal damage caused by this hangover, remedy those harmed by prohibition, including those over-represented in our judicial system, and help to provide new economic stimulus with jobs, agricultural and economic diversity and development.
2. Why do you believe you’re the best candidate for the Eastern Region?
As a Churchill Fellow (2018/2019) for Cannabis, and industry veteran in the medical cannabis sector, I believe I have a firm understanding of the current regulations and barriers this industry is facing.
I understand the potential of a thriving cannabis space and how this can stimulate our economy, and develop novel ancillary industries. My education ranges from undergraduate business and media studies, to production horticulture and plant biology, with current post-graduate studies in agricultural business.
I have been working in the cannabis sector since 2016 with successful projects at various universities, with public and private companies.
Presently I work as a co-founder and Cultivation Director of New Zealand’s largest and most successful cannabis cultivator (Puro NZ) and operate my own equipment supply company that provides cannabis agricultural technologies to growers throughout Asia-Pacific.
Personally, I am a passionate advocate for cannabis. I have seen the benefits of medicinal cannabis first hand with my family, and the potential it can provide as a primarily safe substance in our society.
I’ve spoken at dozens of conferences, expositions, garden festivals and community events about cannabis access and agronomy, plant science and horticulture. I have a very strong understanding of cannabis horticulture, chemotypic variation, cannabinoids, ethnopharmacology and neuropharmacology.
I enjoy public speaking on this topic, and have been recognised by my peers in the cannabis industry. I was awarded Advocate of the Year in the 2021 Cannabis Awards.
3. What are the three biggest issues in the electorate and how will you tackle them?
Our priority would be to ensure progression in cannabis and hemp regulations for the wider Victorian community. This includes the repealing of current cannabis regulations criminalising this plant.
Firstly aiming towards a decriminalisation model, I would advocate for home cultivation and consumption, a dispensary model using licensed commercial cultivation, distribution and safe consumption locations. “Treating bud like beer” would be a priority whereby our alcohol regulations could serve as a model for safe and effective cannabis industry development.
I would focus energy towards improving drug driving laws to accurately test for inhibition rather than presence.
I would focus on improving medical access to cannabis commodities and advocating for quality control measures that reflect the patient needs and allow for cost-effective medicines to patient. This would also include the promotion and state support of local supply chain establishment.
Finally, I would look to improve the current approach to hemp cultivation and usage, allowing for hemp commodities to be used in a more diverse range of markets (from pet products to cosmetics, our hemp farmers should be allowed to use the whole plant).
Regarding other issues that I would want to address for the electorate. It is evident that environmental and wildlife management is a critical challenge for our electorate. This would include strategies to improve our mitigation of flood and fire risks, alongside conservation of wildlife and management of agricultural risks such as rising deer populations.
I believe we could improve our transport options and availability, alongside improving our roads and infrastructure. Finally, I would love to see further inclusion and recognition of indigenous culture in our region, acknowledging our local elders and helping future generations to realise their role and potential in our society.
NAME: Tania White
PARTY: Health Australia Party – Mooroolbark
Tania is passionate about freedom over health choice and is a believer in centuries old traditional medicine practices, as well as combining health eating and meditation practices for a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. She has studied cell biology, physiology, medicines and human nature for over 30 years. Critical of the health mandates over the last two years, Tania is running because of the huge increase in mental health disorders, depression, suicide and domestic violence.
NAME: Amie Templar-Kanshlo
PARTY: Australian Labor Party – Mooroolbark
Amie was first involved in a community campaign during the Save Swinburne Lilydale campaign. She has worked for many unions including National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Community Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Finance Sector Union (FSU). She joined the Labor party during the state election in 2018.
NAME: Milton Wilde
PARTY: Family First Victoria – Croydon
Milton is hoping to make “bold stand for family, faith, life and integrity” as the Family First candidate for Eastern Victoria Region. In his bio on the Family First Victoria website, he said he is “standing to prevent our children and our grandchildren being saddled with the debt and social dysfunction that has been foisted upon us by past and current governments.”
