Victorian State Election 2026 | Legislative Council (Upper House)
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Leonie Green
Australian Democrats candidate North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Legislative Council Australian Democrats candidates Leonie Green (left) and Ryan Parris, both contesting the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. Photo: Australian Democrats. |
1. Tell us about yourself.
I'm a business owner, leadership coach and mediator, with a professional background spanning employment law, corporate leadership, human resources and consulting. Much of my career has focused on helping organisations and the people within them work better together, navigate complex challenges and achieve practical, fair outcomes.
2. What is your connection to the local community?
I've lived in Melbourne's eastern suburbs my entire life, growing up in Nunawading and living in Vermont and Mitcham, where my husband and I have raised our daughter. While I don't live in Manningham itself, it's part of the broader community and region I've called home for 50 years.
3. Why are you standing for election?
I believe we can, and should, do politics differently, and I want to be part of the change I want to see in our system.
Too often, political debate is characterised by division, point-scoring and short-term thinking, rather than a genuine commitment to solving problems. I believe there is a better way, one that values listening, respectful disagreement, evidence-informed decision-making and working constructively with others to find solutions.
I'm standing to give people in North-Eastern Metropolitan another choice, and because I believe the Legislative Council has an important role in scrutinising legislation, holding governments accountable and ensuring decisions are made in the public interest.
4. What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing the communities you hope to represent?
Cost of living and housing affordability: Financial pressures are affecting all generations, particularly younger Australians struggling to establish themselves. Housing affordability and the rising cost of essential services are significant challenges.
Healthcare, education and community services: Access to quality services is fundamental to individual wellbeing and strong communities. Affordability, availability and equitable access, particularly to mental health support, remain important concerns.
Community safety and social cohesion: Everyone deserves to feel safe, connected and included. Addressing crime and its underlying causes, reducing social isolation and discrimination, and strengthening our sense of belonging are all important to building resilient communities.
5. What specific actions would you take to improve the everyday lives of residents, particularly those in Manningham?
I would work with local councils, community organisations and residents to identify where government action and investment could make the greatest difference.
For Manningham and the broader region, this could include advocating for more diverse and affordable housing, improved access to essential services, and support for local initiatives that bring people together and strengthen community connections.
On community safety, I would advocate for approaches that balance effective policing with prevention, early intervention and better coordination between services, recognising that lasting improvements require addressing underlying causes.
As a member of the Legislative Council, I would also scrutinise legislation and government spending, ask difficult questions and hold decision-makers accountable for delivering meaningful outcomes for our communities.
6. Why should voters elect you?
My professional experience has taught me the importance of listening carefully, navigating complex issues, balancing competing interests and finding common ground. These are skills I believe are valuable in Parliament.
I don't believe elected representatives need to have all the answers. I believe they need to be willing to do the work, seek out evidence, exercise sound judgement and be accountable for their decisions.
If elected, I would focus on thoughtful scrutiny of legislation, working constructively across political divides and ensuring the voices of our communities are heard.
Above all, I would want to contribute to a Parliament where integrity, respectful debate and the long-term interests of our communities come before political point-scoring.
Editor's note: The responses are provided by the candidates and reflect their own views. Publication does not constitute an endorsement by Manningham Life.
