Sunbury Liberal candidate Cassandra Marr wants to make the electorate a better place for families.
Ms Marr is hoping to win the seat, which takes in Sunbury, Bulla, Diggers Rest and Wildwood, from Labor’s Josh Bull in November’s state election.
Mr Bull won the seat in 2014 with a swing of 6.5 per cent.
Ms Marr said she was contesting the election for her family.
“I know what it’s like to juggle work, family and keep the bills in check,” she said.
“I have a daughter aged three and a nine-month-old son, and I want to ensure our family has the best opportunities possible for their future.
“I want to ensure that our children … can grow up in an area they love that is safe.”
Ms Marr grew up in Diggers Rest and went to Diggers Rest Primary School before attending Sunbury College.
The daughter of a small business owner, she said she grew up with politics being discussed at the dinner table, learning how state and federal government decisions affected business owners.
Ms Marr is a member of the SunFest committee and the Sunbury Residents’ Association.
Ms Marr said that if elected, she wanted to address the issues that are hurting residents the most.
“This means reducing crime and making sure we have more police on our streets; reducing the ever-increasing cost of living so we can keep the roof over our heads; and reducing congestion by building the infrastructure we need,” she said.
“For too long, we have seen Band-Aid solutions to many of the issues the Sunbury electorate faces and this needs to stop.”
Among Ms Marr’s top priorities for the electorate are the Bulla Bypass, a rail crossing at Jacksons Hill, removing the Gap Road level crossing and grade separation for the intersection of Gap Road and Horne Street.
She has started meeting local sports groups to assess their funding needs as part of the Liberal Party’s commitment to funding grassroots teams.
“[I believe] that instead of complaining about something, it is important to roll up your sleeves and work hard to make what you want a reality,” she said.
