Aleta Moriarty is an independent candidate for Western Victoria, a mother with a young family, experienced global leader in human rights, sustainability, and social justice. She is a writer and academic. She grew up in rural Australia, to parents who were refugees and small business owners.

I am running because I believe Western Victoria deserves better. Too many people feel let down by politics, overlooked by major parties, and worried about housing, education, climate, inequality and the future we are leaving the next generation.

I am running as an independent because communities should come before party machines. I am not bound by factional deals, corporate donors or party instructions. I will judge every issue on its merits and put Western Victoria first.

I have worked across the United Nations, the World Bank, corporate Australia, journalism, academia and the community sector.

I was CEO of the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, one of Australia’s largest human rights arts events. I helped establish Cotton On Group’s first global sustainability department, served as an OECD examiner examining cases of multinational corporate misconduct, and am currently CEO of the Centre for Sustainability.

I have worked across humanitarian settings, conflict-affected contexts and some of the poorest countries in the world. I have written eight books, been published in The Lancet, and currently write for Michael West Media and The Conversation.

I worked my way up from public school, through TAFE and university, to a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge. I am now close to completing my doctorate at the University of Melbourne. My own pathway has shaped my belief that every person should have access to quality public education, regardless of postcode, income or background.

My decisions will be guided by three things: what the community wants, what the evidence shows, and what strong legal and ethical frameworks require. That trinity is my north star.

I will listen carefully and examine the best available evidence, and test decisions against principles of fairness, integrity, human rights, sustainability and the public good.

I will not be guided by party instructions, factional deals or lobby group pressure. I will make decisions based on what is right, what is fair, and what serves the people I represent.

I will fight to protect and strengthen democracy. Around the world, democracy is being challenged by polarisation, disinformation, inequality, declining trust and the growing influence of vested interests. We need leaders who are serious about integrity, transparency, fairness and rebuilding public confidence in decision-making and institutions.

I will also fight for stronger corporate accountability. Powerful companies must be held to proper standards, whether the issue is artificial intelligence, pollution, climate change, consumer rights, worker exploitation, tax avoidance or harm to local communities.

My priorities include quality public education, affordable housing, serious climate action, stronger regional services, economic justice, integrity in government, and a fairer future for Western Victoria.

I have high expectations of what government and representatives can do, and I will hold myself and others to these expectations. An independent MP can scrutinise legislation, move amendments, push for inquiries, negotiate for regional priorities, expose poor decisions and hold government to account. Independents can have real influence. But even outside the balance of power, a strong independent voice can put neglected issues on the agenda and force major parties to pay attention.

No. Most of my career has been outside politics. I am interested in change not the actual power or politics. If you don’t want to vote for me, I would be just as happy if you did something to progress meaningful change to make the world better, close inequality, create peace and spread democracy.

This campaign is powered by community support, and the smell of a wet oily rag. There are no corporate donations or party machines. Donations help pay for campaign materials, events, signs, printing, digital tools and community outreach. All donations will comply with electoral law and disclosure requirements.

This campaign is up against major parties, powerful lobby groups and candidates backed by significant wealth. I do not have a party machine behind me, but I have people power and I need all the help I can get. You can help by distributing flyers in letterboxes, hosting a corflute, running a fundraiser, donating, volunteering at events, sharing the campaign online, or helping on election day.

Yes. I will be doing speaking events across Western Victoria, with dates and locations posted shortly. Current topics include democracy at the crossroads, the fight to save public education, inequality and the cost-of-living crisis, the war against women, and regional Victoria’s future.

Please reach out through the contact form, sign up for updates, or get in touch if you would like to volunteer, host an event, donate, or help spread the word.