Hi, I’m Andrew and I’m running for the Victorian Upper House seat of Southern Metro. If given the tremendous honour and privilege to sit in Parliament, I will strive every day to uproot the corruption and cronyism that has left so many disillusioned with our government, and stymied real progress.
I have lived in Southern Metro my whole life. I went to school and university here and worked my first job in a local supermarket. Today, my wife Callie and I are raising our young son, who joined us in the heart of lockdown, right here in the same community that I grew up in.
I have worked with community environmental groups in the local area, delivering on projects that support local businesses to reduce waste and foster reusable products with their customers. I also recently spoke at a community climate forum at Stonnington Town Hall, and seeing just how much ordinary people want to be part of the solution has been really heartening.
I currently work as a swimming teacher and have done for over 17 years. I work in different parts of the Southern Metro area, which allows me to see and engage with slices of different communities. It’s a mix of imparting a life skill, giving students confidence and a love for the water, and boosting the health and safety of the community. Several of my former students now teach alongside me.
In addition to my aquatic education licenses I have an honours degree in Film and TV Production. I have also worked for agricultural and harvest labour businesses, bringing together people who want to work and farmers who rely on that help to feed us all. My experience working across diverse fields such as education, the arts, and agriculture has given me invaluable insights into the lives of people all across the community and a range of invaluable perspectives that help me consider the big picture.
I’m running for Parliament because I’ve spent all my voting life convinced that I, and the people who I share my life with, have no real representation.
Alongside my commitment to fighting corruption in parliament, I will be fighting for urgent action on climate change, a housing system that’s about where people live – not just profits – and the separation of church and state.
Too many MPs are wedded to the party line– regardless of community sentiment or the evidence presented to them. To be a good representative requires you to serve everyone that you represent, not just your donors. I want to be for my community what I have never had: a representative who puts the needs of their people ahead of their own pocket.
Twitter: @AJohnsonAus
Mail: [email protected]