About

A small steering group was setup mid 2024 and the Voices of Jagaja was formally formed on the 14th of September 2024 . We already have hundreds of supporters and we are growing.

Voices of Jagajaga Candidate Selection Process for the 2025 Federal Election

The Voices of Jagajaga Steering Committee began its candidate search in October 2024.

To reach potential candidates, the group:

• Placed ads on its Facebook, Instagram and Web pages.
• Communicated directly with the Voices of Jagajaga survey respondents
• Created a flyer, which was:
  • Distributed through local environmental and social justice group newsletters.
  • Delivered to business premises across shopping precincts, including doctors, allied health professionals, lawyers, accountants, small businesses, and the Austin Hospital.

Candidate Selection Criteria

The Steering Committee sought a candidate who met the following criteria:

1. Strong community connections and a long-standing association with the Jagajaga electorate.
2. A professional background providing the skills and experience to effectively represent the electorate.
3. High personal integrity and strong ethical values.
4. Alignment with the key focus areas from the Community Survey:
   • Climate action
   • Cost of living policies
   • Political integrity
5. Commitment to the role, including the time, energy, and capacity to serve as the inaugural Voices of Jagajaga Community Independent candidate.

   Process

1. Informal discussions took place within the group, with around 25 supporters being asked if they were interested in standing.
2. Four potential candidates were identified and informally interviewed by Steering Committee members.
3. Two candidates were ineligible due to Section 44 issues, and two withdrew due to time commitment concerns.
4. Chris Kearney, a Voices of Jagajaga supporter who had not previously been approached, was then invited to stand. He agreed on January 11, 2025.
5. At the January 16, 2025, Steering Committee meeting, a ‘Meet the Candidate’ event was held, and Chris Kearney was formally endorsed as the Voices of Jagajaga community candidate by a two-thirds majority vote.

We want to hear what you have to say. Be involved and have a say in our future.

Join our mailing list