Meet the candidates: Maroondah interviews
So who is actually asking for your vote on 28 November, and what do they want to do? We're inviting every candidate standing in the Maroondah electorates, Croydon, Ringwood, Warrandyte and Glen Waverley, to the same interview. Each one gets the same format and the same space, so you can compare them fairly. MX doesn't endorse any candidate or party.
First up is Lini Fernando, the Greens candidate for Croydon. I spoke with Lini by phone on Thursday 15 October, and she checked and approved these notes on 16 October. They're my notes from our chat, not a word for word transcript.
Key points
Biggest issues: cost of living, affordable housing and rent, and health care. Lini says Croydon faces the same pressures as the rest of Victoria.
Council and state: she wants council and the state working together.
Rate capping: she says councils are cash strapped because the state underfunds them, and the gap should come from the state, not higher rates.
Greens commitments: rent caps, abolishing stamp duty on homes up to about $1 million, sliding to $1.5 million, and properly free public dental.
Local environment: she opposes expanding the Boral Montrose Quarry, because of the dust.
Housing: she supports more housing, with the community consulted first.
Croydon Main Street: she backs the upgrade, but is concerned traders get no compensation.