Greens sow seeds of change with Indi candidate

COMMUNITY advocate Alysia Regan has been announced as the Greens candidate for the seat of Indi in the upcoming federal election, pledging to push for climate action, affordable housing, and a stronger regional voice in Canberra. Ms Regan, who has previously stood as a Greens candidate for the District of Sandringham in the 2022 Victorian state election and for Ivison Ward in the 2024 Bayside council elections, brings a background in not-for-profit work, community advocacy and early childhood education. She currently divides her time between metropolitan Melbourne and her family’s farm in Taggerty, in the Murrindindi Shire. “My family has been proud Murrindindi Shire small business owners in the town of Taggerty for 45 years,” she said. “I work on my primary producing farm on weekends and during school holidays, with my three daughters who enjoy riding their motorbikes around the 125 acre property.” Ms Regan has served on campaign and branch committees for the Bayside Glen Eira Greens and has been nominated for several civic awards, including the Victorian Disability Awards, as well as council’s Woman of the Year and Citizen of the Year. “I have a strong history in advocacy across the not-for-profit, community and early childhood education sectors,” she said. “I’ve been recognised for promoting rights for people with disability.” In announcing her candidacy for Indi, Ms Regan said she would be a voice for regional communities. “We’re in a housing crisis and regional Victoria is being left behind,” she said. “In Indi, more than 40 per cent of renters are experiencing rental stress.” Ms Regan criticised the major parties for continuing to support fossil fuel projects, arguing the electorate is already bearing the brunt of climate change. “Labor and the Coalition are both backing new coal and gas and worsening the climate crisis,” she said. “Meanwhile, regional Victoria is experiencing more climate-related disasters, including bushfires and floods.” She said the Greens’ platform offers voters a real alternative. “I’m proud to be part of a party that is fighting for no new coal and gas, publicly owned renewable energy, cheaper groceries, and a rent freeze,” she said. “We want to make big corporations pay their fair share of tax and fund things we all need, like dental and mental health in Medicare and government-built homes to rent and buy. “In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics and governments should actually solve the problems we face.” Ms Regan said the people of Indi are ready for a stronger, progressive voice in parliament. “The electorate of Indi knows they deserve more, and I am ready to demand it,” she said. “If you want change, it’s time to vote for it.”