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.

Where do you give your preferences?

I am not allocating preferences. I am asking you to vote 1 for me and decide for yourself how you number the other boxes. I respect your right to choose and your personal preferences. You must number every box to ensure your vote counts.

Who do you support in the Senate?

If you’re supporting me for action on climate and integrity, then I encourage you to also vote climate and integrity in the Senate.

Do you support other community minded independent candidates in the House of Representatives?

I welcome strong independent candidates running for House of Representatives. We need more MPs prepared to collaborate and work on the big challenges ahead and vote with integrity on each issue.

Do you drive an EV?

My Parliamentary car is a Subaru Hybrid, 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 has been horrified at the crisis in Gaza and at the strikes on innocent civilians. She 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 in February 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.

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 government's 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 into 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.