O’Donnell wants change
“I WANT to see the change,” Labor’s candidate for the federal seat of Monash, Jessica O’Donnell, stated.
“I WANT to see the change,” Labor’s candidate for the federal seat of Monash, Jessica O’Donnell, stated.
“I want to see the change and be involved in it because I know I’ve got the capacity and ability to actually do it.”
“I’m not a career politician.”
Ms O’Donnell is a music-loving animal enthusiast who grew up in Gippsland. Ms O’Donnell runs her own consultancy and project management company.
“We need capable, smart women in politics.
“I’m more than happy to take one for the team – dishing it out and ensuring that women have a place, and they don’t have anything to be afraid of.
“Young women will second guess whether they want to get involved in politics because of what they see on the news, because of how they hear men talk about women in Parliament, and we need women in the house and on the steps.”
Ms O’Donnell, a single mum to 17-year-old Decklyn, also has a chocolate Labrador puppy, Richard, as well as a multitude of other animals.
And she loves cooking, especially osso buco.
“I grew up in Latrobe Valley, but now live in West Gippsland.
“My father and grandfather worked at Hazelwood, so I’m really passionate about employment and what energy transition looks like, and how we can move into a renewable economy.
“I was on council for four years and a youth advocate.”
Currently studying a Master’s in International Law and Human Rights, Ms O’Donnell is stamping out the old rulebook.
“(I had Decklyn) when I was 17, and I have to say being a mom has been my life, watching him grow up through all of the stages and transitioning into a young adult.
“I’ve got concerns that many, many other parents do – what’s going to happen in the future? Jobs, climate change, society.
“I love my community. I’ve always been heavily active and involved in the community and community committees – I just like helping people.
“It’s been something of a passion of mine since I was a little kid.
“When I was working in a salon as a hairdresser, I quite often heard little bugbears around local government and little sticking things that could very easily be fixed.
“And I thought, well, I’m involved in community groups, and I understand governance.
“I could potentially run in the upcoming council elections – so I did.
“I’ve always been very politically-minded and switched on ever since I was a kid.
“I disliked the thought of the GST when I was 10 and made a bit of a song and dance about that coming in.
“Being that I’m a huge advocate and ally to the LGBTQ community, I was appalled Russell voted against marriage equality after a really long and hard campaign for those who were impacted.
“To see that happen and for him to turn around and not just abstain, but to actually vote against the community.
“I’m a huge theatre nerd – not only do I like to play on the stage, and behind the stage, I like to watch it as well, and I’m learning the guitar.”
