A Phillip Island lawyer is focussed on bringing a fresh approach to politics as the Voices for Monash candidate in this year's Federal Government election.
Deb Leonard has been endorsed by the community independents group that is aiming to bring grass roots ideals to the political arena.
Voices for Monash was established last year by a group of people seeking to support an independent member for the electorate. The group is one of numerous community groups springing up around Australia because of their belief that the two-party system is failing democracy.
The group recently called for nominations from community members interested in standing as an independent candidate at the election, that must be held by May 21 this year.
Two potential candidates were put forward including Ms Leonard and former Baw Baw Shire councillor and Voices for Monash advocate Tony Wolfe.
Ms Leonard said she was honoured to be endorsed by the group to face the upcoming election.
Currently, incumbent Liberal Russell Broadbent and ALP candidate Jessica O'Donnell are already on the vote card.
Ms Leonard, moved to Phillip Island in 2008 where she began her own law firm. With a strong interest in politics, she said she was now in a good position with her business to focus on representing the community.
"It is no good sitting back complaining about things, it was time to do something about it," she said.
Voices for Monash is Ms Leonard's first flurry in politics but she said she had watched the movement closely since the success of independent Cathy McGowan being elected in 2013.
"It is amazing that grass roots communities can get behind a candidate. This is my first flurry into politics but to me that's a bonus because I can bring something fresh and have a different view.
"People want someone who represents their voice and listens to them.
"I just want to shake things up. We have been a safe Liberal seat for many years and we have missed out and been ignored.
"I absolutely think we can win it but I want to bring the focus back to Monash with more resources and investment," she said.
Ms Leonard said many voters were disillusioned with their local members because they were "getting caught up in their party politics."
Acknowledging there was a lot of work to be done on the campaign trail, Ms Leonard said she was up to the challenge of engaging with as many communities as possible across the large electorate and gaining an understanding of the different views and issues facing people.
"I thank everyone involved with Voices for Monash for their commitment to this independent and trustworthy process. It is a very exciting concept that a community can choose a leader that they believe best represents them. I am committed to listening to the wishes of the Monash community, being accountable to the public, and hope to bring about some real and positive changes for the electorate."
"I am particularly passionate about representing the young people of Monash, who will bear the legacy of what happens in the next four years of federal parliament," Ms Leonard said.
Mr Wolfe affirmed his commitment to the Voices for Monash team and the campaign being led by Ms Leonard.
"This is a fantastic result for the residents of Monash," he said. "The process was about listening to the community. Residents from across Monash have signed up to be members of Voices for Monash and they have chosen the best candidate.
"It is now up to us to get on with the campaign. Join us (voicesformonash.org), help with the campaign, and let's win the election," he said.
The election is expected to be held in May.