FAQs

 

Why vote for an Independent MP

I am free to vote in your best interests.

I consider each piece of legislation carefully and consult with Warringah to ensure I represent your views on issues. MPs in major parties are told what to say and how to vote. I can introduce legislation and amendments, especially on issues like lies in political advertising and climate policy.

I get things done.

In this Parliament, it is sensible centrist independent MPs like me who have held the Government to account on climate, integrity, mental health, domestic and sexual violence, aged care and disability reforms. I pushed the Government to amend the Sexual Discrimination Act to ensure sexual harassment is prohibited in all public circumstances.

I hold the major parties to account on corruption and climate.

I have already introduced critical legislation like the Climate Change Bills, Truth in Political Advertising Bill and seconded the Federal ICAC.

Do you drive an EV?

My Parliamentary car is a fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 5, which I offset with Greenfleet. My private vehicle is a Hyundai Kona EV. I offset my house and family footprint with Greenfleet.

Do you have solar panels?

Yes. I also use 100% renewable energy, have switched away from gas heating and plan to do the same with hot water. I also have Ethical Super. Under my leadership, Warringah has accelerated its uptake of rooftop solar PV and transition to reduce emissions.

Israel – Gaza conflict

Zali is horrified at the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and in July spoke in parliament reiterating her call for targeted trade sanctions against Israel and asking the government to act with boldness and courage. In July Zali also stood with colleagues in support of a petition signed by over 70,000 Australians calling for an end to the war and spoke on ABC radio in support of the protest march across the Harbour Bridge.

Zali welcomes the government’s decision to support formal recognition of the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September noting it is conditional on the Palestinian Authority recognising Israel and excluding Hamas from any future government.

In June Zali wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong asking the government what further steps they will take to prevent the unfolding disaster. She has also called on the government publicly here and here to strengthen its diplomatic effort and ensure that humanitarian aid is never used as leverage in conflict.

Zali has pressured the government since last year to use all possible diplomatic pathways to call on the Israeli government to uphold the international rule of law, keep civilians safe and encourage both sides to agree to a permanent ceasefire.  

Australia is a signatory to the International Criminal Court and as such Zali supports the International Criminal Justice system’s role in holding states to account for their actions and insist that they act within international law. She has signed a joint letter urging the government uphold the integrity and autonomy of the ICC.

Zali also wrote to the Foreign Minister early this year asking the government what steps they are taking to ensure Gaza’s independence in light of the United States’ announcement of their intention to ‘take over’ Gaza. She has also expressed her concerns publicly over the Trump administration’s public comments about Gaza.

Please see Zali’s full statement from the 4th June, 2024 here. This statement includes links to Zali’s communications on the Israel-Gaza conflict including:

Letters

Statements

Speeches

Tackling Racism

Zali abhors racism and calls for the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework which contains 63 recommendations for a whole of society approach to eliminating racism, with proposed reforms across Australia’s legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as workplaces and data collection.

Tackling Antisemitism

Zali strongly condemns antisemitism and has called this out on numerous occasions, both in her recent statement on the Antisemitism Motion in parliament, on Instagram here and Facebook here, in a recent television interview here and in her speech in parliament in support of prohibiting hate symbols. She is deeply concerned about the increasing incidence of appalling antisemitic attacks plaguing our capital cities.

Last year Zali wrote to the Prime Minister demanding an urgent judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism at Australian universities. See an interview on that here.

Zali supports and voted for the government’s recent hate speech laws which impose criminal penalties on people who promote hatred over race, religion, gender and other factors including supporting Allegra Spender’s amendment banning serious vilification.

Council Rates 

Zali recognises that local governments require long-term financial sustainability, however this needs to be balanced with fairness and community capacity to pay. The proposals raise significant concern among residents who are already dealing with the cumulative effects of inflation, rising mortgage rates and increased insurance and energy costs. You can read Zali's statement on the council rates here.

On 20 March 2025, Zali provided a submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). You can read the IPART submission for the Northern Beaches Special Rate Variation Application here and the submission for the North Sydney Special Rate Variation Application here. 

On 16 May 2025, IPART released its decisions on 6 NSW council applications for special variations to rate increases. You can read Zali's statement on IPART's decision here.