AGM 2022 Committee Nominations
President
Convenor
Secretary
Treasurer
National Campaigns Coordinator
Registered Officer
You can watch nominee speeches at the recording of the meeting on 23rd October here.
President - Sahar Khalili-Naghadeh
Who are you and what is your background?
I was part of the SP since 2020 and ran as a candidate under Fusion in Reid for 2022. I used to be a pharmacist, now I'm a technical business analyst for government and health services.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
We need alternatives to our Coke vs Pepsi dichotomy in politics. We need diversity in the conversation for actual democracy. I can't see myself aligning or engaging with any other party but Fusion, and I want to continue to be engaged through a party that takes action. The impetus for joining the SP was to drum up action in response to the clear disrespect our last PM had towards science, the royal commission into bushfires, and to his citizens. This drove me to get involved and ensure I do everything I can so their donor corrupted party is wholesale kicked out of government. My vision is for Fusion to continue to iterate evidence-based policies via transparent and radical collaboration. Being nimble, current, cutting edge in information, "non-partisan" almost, merging more and more thoughts and ideas for a better future for all Australians. Forever in Fusion. No more clutching onto outdated or alienating ideology that hasn't advanced, or is not for the betterment of a future for all. Fusion is an engaged party of people who care and take care, not a business party looking to fight for power in an old and outdated system. I will work to make sure Fusion is fast and responsive, streamlined, and able to take a clear stand when called to.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I hope to be elected as President only IF you stand by vision I proposed for Fusion, and trust this is the way forward. I am not here to mess around and waste time, I want clarity and structure to lead to strong and effective action. Fusion needs guidance and vision, and I have been pushing the hardest for setting a vision while also sharing my own for the taking. I have the drive, the passion, the confidence to put myself out there, which we need. Some of the issues holding Fusion back have included rules in our Constitution which are legacy, convoluted items that need to be simplified and updated to fit Fusions vision. I will slim down and steamline how Fusion operates for faster responsiveness and increased transparency. At the moment, Fusion is slow and lacking transparency.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I have campaigned in the marginal and highly competitive seat Reid in 2022. I've pushed for our party to get to where it is now, but I need it to follow through. As Chair for Engagement who isn't on Exec, I don't have much power to enact change in Fusion except for via hard work and influence. Now I want to see it happen.
Additional Information
Thanks
President - Miles Whiticker
Who are you and what is your background?
I'm an organiser and activist who has been active in many environmental and political causes over the years. Most recently I have focussed on electoral politics as a campaign organiser for Fusion in 2022, and as National President for the Pirate Party since 2018. I'm studying Physics/Secondary Teaching, after a career switch from software development. In my spare time I head outdoors for a hike or run, read political philosophy, existential risk analysis and scifi/fantasy. I consider myself a polymath and I'm intensely interested in all forms of knowledge. I meet and engage with a wide variety of people from all walks of life and strands of politics. Politically, I'm most interested in direct democracy, community organising and metamodernism.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
I was one of the founding organisers of Fusion through the Pirate Party and have worked hard to contribute to the structures and progress we've made in the past year. I see Fusion as a vibrant ecosystem containing super-organisms (the member parties), micro-organisms (the people) and vibrant dynamic processes uniting us all in a push for change. I never saw us as being ""forced"" together back then, but rather it was a convenient impulse for us to combine and collaborate more closely than ever before. Our differences made our strengths, although they also have made it a challenging time to come together.
My vision is for many strands united as one: our distinctive politics, motivations and perspectives entwined together just like we as individuals and parties came together earlier this year. With that distinctiveness, we have stronger ideas and passion as a tasty ""party salad"" rather than a bland soup. Let's celebrate those differences by embedding processes in place to allow bottom up leadership, empowering our members. Let's also in turn develop our members to lead from the bottom, while the executive and officers proactively work to facilitate the party direction. My vision is for a process-based political party, a metamodern political party.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
In my time on the national campaigns committee for the Federal Election 2022, and working on the Vic state election 2022, my perspective on electoral politics has changed dramatically. I've experimented and ideated numerous new processes and methods, but all of it is held back without an overarching vision and underlying ideology to unite us. It's no longer enough just to support members to step up and volunteer, to empower campaign organisers, to motivate candidates, to amass funding and votes (all of which I did).
I have the mechanical experience and ability to work as a campaign manager, and the vision to set strategic policy. But my preference would be to work as a mid-level officer directly on campaigns.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I ran for election in Federal Election 2019, as well as did campaign management in Federal Elections 2019, 2022, and the Vic state election 2022 (ongoing). I read political philosophy extensively and network widely around Australia, internationally, and among different political/activist/advocacy groups.
Additional Information
Join the Victoria campaign (interstate/remote volunteers welcome!) https://www.fusionparty.org.au/volunteer
Convenor - Petar Johnson
Who are you and what is your background?
With a distinct genuine involvement in environmental and social justice activism and politics since 1988 I have joined Fusion to further progressive politics. My background is as an environmental and quality assurance auditor and I have worked all around the world in this field. My principled interest in the Fusion Party is to help bring together the foundations to a genuine progressive national party which can help shape the social debate. My background is as a Human Ecologist with a focus on all things sustainable development for a number of decades. I love people and want to help bring together a powerful team with the courage to implement our members views and needs.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
With time and talent I hope that we can capture political power to implement our vision. I have been involved in the founding work to date to articulate our vision and principles and have affinity with what we have achieved. In terms of political success I hope to support the election of a number of Local Government Representative over the next few years and the development of a comprehensive policy platform. Most importantly I see us linking and working with many NGO's, academics and networks to ensure that we are well connected with Australians outside of our Party.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
To help guide the formative stages of the party in order to establish the infrastructure to make our work permeate in the Australian political landscape. In particular I see the role of Convenor as being a support to the Executive and to provide guidance and structure to initiatives in the as they arise that need support. Importantly a convenor is the glue to ensure that members and the leadership are aligned and that communication channels and roles are clear to empower everyone.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I have a good understanding of the people in the Executive and the core groups in the party as well as the different initiatives that we have taken to date. I have been performing the role of Convenor in the Executive during the formative stages of the Party. I was the former leader of the Australian Climate Change Justice Party and have to date stood in Federal elections for the House of Representatives and for the ACT Legislative Assembly. My interest is to support quality candidates as they mount their election campaigns while building the infrastructure in the Party to allow for our candidates to feel supported and empowered. I have an excellent understanding of administration, law, finance and government operations which will allow my role as Convenor to bring to the Party a well rounded governance perspective to our growing party.
Additional Information
I think our next challenges are 3 which I will focus on: 1) To grow our membership, 2) To establish, grow and articulate our national election infrastructure, 3) TO establish strong liaison with external groups which are aligned with our values.
Convenor - Wade Johnson
Who are you and what is your background?
I am an elected union delegate for the AMWU. In this role I have effectively negotiated to solve problems between workers and their workplace at national conferences. I have been able to do this in a fair and balanced way that promotes worker protection and the concerns of the business.
I am a member of the equality committee at my work place. Our role is to promote equality for women in STEM, work towards closing the wage gap and helping women use their experiences to gain executive roles in STEM.
I am a working scientist, specialising in environmental chemistry. My work involves monitoring, protecting the environment and gathering evidence for prosecuting when environmental laws and regulations are broken.
In my spare time I volunteer to coach junior hockey at a club and representative level. I also like to stay fit and make friends playing hockey in the Illawarra and Sydney competitions.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
I joined the Science Party, where I learnt about the Fusion Party. I believe the Fusion Party provides a much-needed "alternative" perspective - the scientific perspective - in politics. I have a keen interest in combating the dissemination of misinformation and providing an evidence-backed, scientific method approach to policy development and discussions. We live in a post-trust society and we need to bring trust back to our institutions and make them accessible to the public and accountable to the community. I believe the most effective way to achieve this is by uniting the individual nature of the Fusion brand to form a single, strong party of like minded individuals.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I have been involved with the Science Party for several years, participating in meetings and running as a candidate in the Wollongong Council elections in 2021. Now we have 'fused' with Fusion I would like to play a bigger part in our development going forward.
My principle interest in the Fusion brand is to help give our electorates more choice and foster the 'Fusion of ideas' within our community. As convenor, we will begin engaging and actively listening to the diverse range of voices in our party, unite those voices and shape the national social and political debate within our community.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
My roll as a scientist gives me a perspective that I believe the Fusion party needs moving forward, a science based perspective. A science based perspective is not a set a set of facts or an ideology, it is a system for uncovering the truth. I have professional training in workplace organising, meeting and counciling members, negotiation skills and dispute resolution. I have learnt these skill though my involvement as an elected union delegate with the AMWU. These are critical skills our party will need to unite the fusion brand and grow our membership in the future.
Additional Information
I promise to be punctual and be in attendance to meetings, to be seen
actively participate in Fusion discussions and events both formal and informal, with members and interested parties.
Fusion needs clear direction, guidance and vision that will lead to strong and effective action. The Fusion vision needs wider recognition. To achieve this I will support our executive team to unite our individual identities to become a true 'fusion of ideas', to increase party's responsiveness and improve transparency.
Secretary - Andrea Leong
Who are you and what is your background?
I am a microbiologist by training and an and optimist by outlook. I worked in the NSW Health Covid-19 Branch from late 2020 to early 2022, where I saw a dedicated team of public servants work tirelessly to protect the community as we were dragged along by the political decisions of our elected representatives.
Clear and concise communication is a passion of mine, developed through my work as a lab scientist and in public health. The message must be heard and understood, otherwise it might as well not be said.
Some of my political videos are here: https://www.youtube.com/c/SciencePartyAus/videos
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
In 2013 I was concerned about Metadata Retention, so I wrote to my MP. I got a slow and dismissive reply, which spurred me to get involved in electoral politics. I found the Future Party (later the Science Party) and have been heavily involved ever since.
Fusion has an opportunity to lead in the field of bold, compassionate, future-focussed politics. Others talk of net zero by 2040 and 100% renewables; we went to the election with a 10 year transition to negative emissions and 800% renewables. We advocate for a Universal Basic Income. These are good policies that will let Australia thrive at the expense of none.
I am inspired by the fact that several parties combined their efforts to work together as one to bring a hopeful message to Australian voters: we can have a brighter future, if we work towards it.
The 2022 election taught us that people like our message. The next challenge is getting the message to 100% of voters so they can make an informed choice at the ballot box.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I believe in Fusion's message. I want widespread recognition for Fusion (see previous answer) and I have relevant skills (see next answer).
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I want to improve Fusion's internal and external communications; and carry on Roger's work in reporting our membership trends, and extend into membership analysis.
I do some of this work already, including managing Science Branch memberships (not solely), and writing regular newsletters.
Political experience:
I joined the Future Party in 2015 and was soon appointed as Policy Officer. In 2016 I ran as a candidate for the first time (Kingsford Smith). I joined the party executive, and started the Science Party NSW state branch, which achieved registration for local council elections. I ran in the Wentworth by-election (2018), placing 7th in a field of 16 candidates. I led the Science Party to the 2019 federal election and into the Fusion merger.
Treasurer - Michael Maroske
Who are you and what is your background?
By day I work as a software engineer, but I have been the treasurer of Fusion and Science party previously
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
Coming from the executive of the Science party, and being involved with the merger process, I was excited to see what could achieved with the combined resources and personel of the constituent organisations. We know now that we still have much work to do in order to become more effective and impact Australian Politics. Our top priority should be to develop our brand and structure to create a solid foundation to grow.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I'm am happy to continue in my existing duties as treasurer.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
As the existing treasurer, and having set up the Party's current systems, I have relevant knowledge of the party's financial processes and requirements. I would be more than happy to assist others with getting involved in these processes.
National Campaigns Coordinator - Miles Whiticker
Who are you and what is your background?
I'm an organiser, advocate and student teacher
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
Fusion's best potential is being a syncretic, metamodern movement with a focus on people and processes over systems and staleness. We embody a new model of politics that has the promise to re-invent Australian politics
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
Campaigning is the lifeblood of the party and where I have spent most of my time in the past twelve months. Working alongside and organising people is where my passion lies
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
Extensive experience as a senior officer and executive council member of the Pirate Party, coordinating the national campaigns committee during the 2019 Federal Election. Significant time spent volunteering with various other campaigns for environmental and social justice causes. Currently studying political philosophy and sociology
National Campaigns Coordinator - Luke James
Who are you and what is your background?
First and foremost I'm a person. My education has been in IT and science, but my experiences are diverse. I've performed many roles and faced many challenges, including 8 years with the Science Party. I have learned that the people around us are the best resource we have. My personal philosophy is to invest in the people that surround me as a strong community is not only good for everyone else, it's the best thing we can do for ourselves too.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
I am a member of Fusion. I have followed Auspol since highschool, about 20 years, and I see the political landscape changing. Australia is turning away from the two-party system as minor parties and independents capture more of the vote every election. Our country needs bold new groups to push for a better future for our planet, and for our people. I believe Fusion is well placed to do a lot of good for the country, all we need to do is connect with people who share our vision. We do that through effective campaigning.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
For most of my life I have followed Auspol, but never felt like it was for me. Not because of the skills or talents needed, but because Australian politics have been about serving one group of people in Australia and everyone else has been left behind. As a queer person I have had my rights taken away by Howard, then gotten to watch the shameful circus of a referendum so that I might get those rights back. As a gender-neutral person I've not been recognised by the Australian government for most of my life. As a scientist I've watched funding get pulled or diverted from the great work Australians do to get funnelled into climate-damaging projects or misinformation.
I'm interested in this role because I care about the world we live on, and the people around me. I want to do the best I can to promote a party that has the potential to alter the political landscape in Australia, for the people and for the issues that are so important to moving forward as a nation.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I'm a proven organiser. I have held various positions within the Science Party, including running two campaigns of my own and supporting several more. With the March for Science I was on the national committee, as well as national treasurer, and lead organiser for Melbourne. I am experienced with large scale organisation online and on the ground.
As National Campaign Coordinator I will bring a wealth of relevant experience in this specific role, as well as a variety of supporting skills. In addition to my organisational talents, I'm also experienced in social media management, volunteer organisation, copy writing, liaising with government departments, budget management, and perhaps most importantly, working with people. I understand every step of a political campaign and am well suited to supporting our campaigners around the country.
Registered Officer - Wade Johnson
Who are you and what is your background?
Wade completed his Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry at the University of Wollongong and has since worked as a scientist. His current position involves environmental testing for NSW Environmental Protection Agency where he analyses water, soil and marine sediment for environmental contamination. Wade has previously worked as a quality control chemist testing soaps and disinfectants and Australia's leading environmental testing laboratories. His career in the scientific services industry has allowed him to demonstrate his integrity, honesty and reliability.
Wade was elected as a union delegate for the AMWU in 2019. In this role he has effectively negotiated to solve problems between workers and their workplace and represented workers in enterprise agreement negotiations. He has been able to do this in a fair and balanced way that promotes worker protection and the concerns of the business.
Wade is a member of the equality committee at his work place. Who's role is it to promote equality for women in STEM, close the wage gap and help women use their experiences to gain executive roles in STEM.
In his spare time, Wade can be found on the hockey field either playing or coaching junior teams at his local club and regional representative level.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
I joined the Fusion Party because it provides a much-needed "alternative" perspective - the scientific perspective - in politics. I have a keen interest in combating the dissemination of misinformation and providing an evidence-backed, scientific method approach to policy development and discussions. We live in a post-trust society and we need to bring trust back to our institutions and make them accessible to the public and accountable to the community.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I have been involved with the Science Party for several years, participating in meeting and running as a candidate in the Wollongong Council elections in 2021. Now we have 'fused' with Fusion I would like to play a bigger part in our development going forward.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
My roll as a scientist gives me a perspective that I believe the Fusion party needs moving forward. The skills I have learnt though my involvement with the AMWU as an elected union delegate are critical skills our party will need to grow our membership in the future.
Registered Officer - Owen Miller
Who are you and what is your background?
I'm a software engineer who has long been interested in robotics and startups. I have been living in the US since 2015 to pursue my software career but will be moving back to Australia in November 2022.
I see the software industry making great strides in how society is run and how people live their lives, with governments failing to adopt any of these developments themselves, or even butting heads and getting in the way.
I feel a responsibility to use my understanding of the software world to benefit Australia and to ensure its continued prosperity and harmony.
Why are you a member of Fusion and what future or vision do you see for the party?
I first became a fan when it was the Science Party and the Future Party. I'm excited about taking Australia to the next level, living up to its full potential.
I think that Australia has been too relaxed and uninspiring. We have become too dependent on the US for security; and too dependent on resources, for our economy. We have world-class educational institutions, and while we keep squandering our potential, the whole world misses out; and continues on a confused stumble towards climate catastrophe.
Other parties typically seem to be distracted by identity politics, or committed to nice-to-have policies that just don't compare to the world-changing impact that the Fusion Party is pursuing.
Why are you interested in taking on the role?
I need to ensure that the Fusion Party is well-positioned in upcoming elections; and somebody needs to do each of these roles.
What will you bring to the table that will make you the best person for the position?
I can stay organised and stick to my commitments. As a software engineer, I'm great at interpreting rules and ensuring compliance. Most importantly though, I'm a believer in Fusion's cause.
Additional Information
I have a site with more info about me, https://owen.engineer