David Vanderwolf

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Integrity is a core priority of my campaign. Strong oversight is how we stop corruption before it takes hold, and an anti-corruption commission can only do that if it has the funding and powers to follow public money wherever it goes, including through private contractors. I welcome the recent reforms and would back further resourcing for IBAC.

But the commission is only one part of the system. I’ll also push for legislated briefing requirements so ministers can’t make significant decisions without frank and fearless advice on the record, serious penalties for anyone who interferes with that advice, transparency in senior public sector appointments and how conflicts of interest are managed, and fairer rules on political donations and election funding. Better process means better decisions, and less room for corruption.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I oppose cutting the public service by a target number. Headcount is a poor measure of value for public money. The question is whether we’re spending on the right things, and cutting administrative and management roles across the board risks removing the people who plan, regulate, oversee and deliver our services, including the capacity to implement the programs that save money over time.

It is generally cheaper and more effective to prevent a problem than to respond once it has happened. That means better use of tools like the Early Intervention Investment Framework, which the Auditor-General has found needs clearer requirements. Fixing that takes capable people and better process, not fewer of them. A strong, independent public service is also essential to integrity in government, because public servants need to be able to give frank and fearless advice.

I’ll push for smarter spending: embedding early intervention in budget decisions, a fairer revenue base, and a federation that works better for Victorians, so every dollar is spent where it delivers the most.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Gambling is a significant social harm in our community, and the cost falls hardest on families. I support increasing taxes on gambling, and it makes no sense to keep directing half of wagering and betting tax revenue to the racing industry while we’re dealing with that harm. I’d want the additional revenue redirected to family support and addiction recovery services. I’d like to see the Victorian Government lead in this space by placing conditions on grants funding to sports governing bodies like the AFL that require them to reduce their reliance on gambling revenue.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I support the completion of the Suburban Rail Loop, and if there are opportunities to make it more affordable while still meeting requirements, I’m supportive of that.

My broader concern is how major projects are sequenced. Victoria’s big build has driven up labour and material costs, because when many large projects compete for the same workers and materials at the same time, prices rise and flow through to homes, businesses and everyday costs. Building at a sensible pace means better phasing of major projects, so that building for the future doesn’t push up costs for everyone today.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Housing is a core priority of my campaign. Social housing is a clear gap in our system, and I strongly support building it at scale. My website sets out some detail on the policy changes needed across a range of housing issues, including how planning reform must deliver what our community needs, as well as diversifying our housing stock so new homes match the people who need them.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I acknowledge there are barriers to people moving home, which lead to an inefficient allocation of the existing housing stock. I want to see genuine housing reform that seeks to remove these barriers and create incentives for better allocation. This has a flow on effect to new developments, allowing us to build new supply that better targets the gaps in the housing market. Reforming stamp duty is only part of this conversation, and I would only support it if it were appropriately supplemented by other reforms.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Renters are under pressure from rising interest rates and the broader cost of living, and I support limiting rent increases to the rate of inflation so households have more certainty. Allowance would need to be made for property upgrades, particularly those addressing energy efficiency and affordability, so that landlords aren’t discouraged from improvements that cut tenants’ bills.

A cap is only part of the answer. Lasting affordability depends on genuine planning reform and on diversifying our housing stock so supply matches the needs of our community.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “My test for housing policy is whether it delivers new homes that meet our community’s needs and good value for public money. With the federal ban on foreign purchases of established homes in place until June 2029, a higher state duty would fall mainly on new homes. I’d support a modest increase, but only if modelling shows it doesn’t deter the new supply we need. I’d want it assessed alongside broader planning reform and a stronger focus on diversifying our housing stock.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Yallourn closes in 2028, and three quarters of Australia’s coal-fired power plants will reach the end of their technical life by 2035. I’ll back investment in the cheapest, most reliable replacement power and an accelerated transition, and push for everyone to have access to programs that cut their power bills.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I’ve signed Environment Victoria’s Power Pledge and commit to ensure no Victorian worker, family, or community is left behind. I will support the policies, funding and genuine community involvement needed to make sure every Victorian benefits from cheap, clean renewable energy: from homeowners, to renters and apartment residents who are too often stuck with old, costly gas appliances they have no power to replace.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I’ll support investment in the most affordable and reliable sources of electricity for our communities. With our coal-fired power plants reaching the end of their technical lives, new transmission lines are necessary to ensure the ongoing security and affordability of electricity for homes and businesses across the state.

A stronger grid should also be a more resilient one. I’m interested in approaches that let smaller, self-contained areas keep power on and manage themselves during outages and climate emergencies.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I’m in favour in principle of empowering communities and of seeing the benefits of renewable energy projects flow to the people most directly affected by them. I’d need to see more detail on how it would work, such as what share communities would receive and how it would be structured, before offering full support.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Australia has one of the most segregated schooling systems in the OECD. Nationally, 80 per cent of the most disadvantaged students are educated in state schools, and our public schools are doing the heavy lifting while funding doesn’t always flow to where the need is. Capping public funding for private schools at 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard is a fair application of a needs-based model, and I’ll also push for an equity target for Victorian schools, to close the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students, and a review of funding to all schools so it flows on the basis of enrolments and need.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Public management of early learning can ensure a strong focus on quality of care, compliance with the national law and regulations, and higher standards and support for educators, and above all on children’s safety. The current system is a lottery for parents and their children. Expanding public provision, especially in regional and high-need areas where families have the fewest options, is how we make early childhood education and care both accessible and high quality.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Technical colleges provide a unique pathway for students to enter the workforce, in a way that supports the needs of Victorian industries. I support reinstating them, and investing in our domestic workforce more broadly, including making TAFE better quality and more accessible, so that Victoria has the skills and labour industry needs and young people have a clear route into a secure career.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Victorian public schools aren't projected to be fully funded until 2034, yet they educate most of our most disadvantaged students. I’ll push for faster delivery of full funding, an equity target for Victorian schools, a review to ensure funding reaches every school on enrolments and need, and upgrades to our public-school buildings.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Crime is complex, and I don’t believe tougher bail laws across the board will make us safer. People who are locked up are likely to reoffend, and often more seriously, so focusing too heavily on the criminal justice system makes our communities less safe over time. I’d seek significant amendments so that any further tightening applies only to serious offences, and not to repeat offending more broadly. It’s always cheaper and more effective to prevent something than to respond once it’s happened, which is why my focus is on early intervention, alongside more police and addressing the contributing factors to crime, and not on slogans. If you can explain your crime policy in three to five words, you’re doing more harm than good.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Too often we talk past the significant complexities that lead to crime. We all want to be safe in our community and in our homes, and what’s needed is a real conversation about how we achieve that. It’s cheaper and more effective to prevent crime than to respond once it’s happened, so I’ll back expanded early intervention, with measurable targets so we fund what works. I’ll also back proposals for more police, keep the Violence Reduction Unit, and push for minimum justice standards in youth detention.

Planning for a young person’s exit from the system should start on day one of their sentence, so that housing, education and support are in place when they leave.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I absolutely support additional funding to improve outcomes. It is an urgent issue.

The Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses Federation Funding Agreement provided federal funding for 500 new frontline workers between 2022-23 and 2025-26. I would push the Victorian Government to seek to make this federal funding ongoing, so the workforce is permanent and sustainably funded.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Everyone should be safe in their community, and I support police having the tools they need to do their job. But I’m highly concerned about giving police the power to scan anyone in a public place without a warrant or suspicion. Powers this broad risk eroding trust between police and the community, and it’s often the most vulnerable people who feel the impact.

I want to see respectful, proportionate interactions between police and the public, especially towards women. Crime is complex, and it’s always cheaper and more effective to prevent something than to respond once it’s happened, so my focus is on early intervention and on addressing the contributing factors to crime.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I absolutely support improving access to public dental care. Too many people go without the treatment they need because of the cost.

The Public Dental Services Federation Funding Agreement provides federal funding for public dental services. It is a time-limited agreement, often rolled over a year at a time, and it is in need of reform. I will push strongly for the Victorian Government to commit to working with other states to reform this agreement and secure ongoing federal funding for public dental services, so the clinics are funded for the long term.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Many of the issues in the health sector are caused by federation issues, and the federal government falling short on their responsibilities in the primary care, aged care and NDIS sectors. GP shortages (also a federal responsibility) drive up emergency department presentations (state responsibility) diverting resources away from patients who genuinely need hospital care.

We have hundreds of ‘stranded patients’, patients who no longer require hospitalisation, but cannot access the aged care or NDIS supports they require to leave hospital safely. The cost of providing a hospital bed is typically far more expensive than the supports they actually require, driving up state costs and diverting away from other areas.

My priorities are working with other states to recover the cost of stranded patients from the federal government; advocating for a full commitment to the redevelopment of Maroondah Hospital, and piloting urgent care clinics inside the emergency department at Maroondah Hospital.

I also strongly support increased funding for community health services, which is where prevention happens.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I strongly support increased funding for community health services. When people can’t see a GP, especially one that bulk bills, they end up in emergency departments, and that is more expensive for everyone.

Community health services and bush nursing centres offer prevention, early detection and care where people live, which is cheaper and more effective than responding once someone is seriously unwell. This is part of getting Victoria and the federal government working together on health, so that costs aren’t shifted onto our hospitals. I would also want to work with local Aboriginal community-controlled organisations on how to get culturally appropriate health services closer to where people live.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I oppose directing $1.27 billion of public money to private hospitals. Many of the problems in our health system come from the federal government falling short in primary care, aged care and the NDIS, and this policy treats a symptom while leaving the cause in place. I’d rather see public money build capacity in our public hospitals and fix the causes upstream.

My priorities are: Working with other states to recover the cost of stranded patients from the federal government; advocating for a full commitment to the redevelopment of Maroondah Hospital; piloting urgent care clinics inside the emergency department at Maroondah Hospital.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Climate disasters are only going to get worse, and when they hit, communities should not be left to cope alone. I strongly support a dedicated, ongoing state fund for clean-up, repair and recovery, so help doesn’t depend on which disaster it is or how long federal arrangements take.

I’d also want to see it put power in the hands of communities, backing local preparedness and recovery, such as well-equipped community hubs that can keep people safe, connected and supported when the grid or services go down.

Funding should come from those profiting from the problem, such as higher royalties on fossil fuel companies and a levy on large technology companies. I’ll push for a parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s royalty regime to make sure Victorians get a fair return on our resources.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I strongly support this. Protecting mature trees and remaining native vegetation is one of my environment priorities, and rules are only as good as their enforcement. Dedicated state funding for councils to monitor clearing, including using satellite and aerial imagery as the Auditor-General recommended, means the existing controls actually work and aren’t just on paper. The policy tightens the rules and doesn’t prevent clearing, so landholders with a genuine need still have a clear, fair way to do it, with clear criteria that weigh that need against the environmental impact.

On private land I also support residents who want to protect and create habitat, as in my Wildlife Neighbourhoods proposal.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “As a parent of two children, I think about the world they will inherit every day, and I recognise that young people and generations to come face the worst impacts of climate change. Their lives and livelihoods will be affected by a crisis not of their making, their health worsened by disasters, and heat and hazards that will only worsen with today's inaction.

I also recognise that protecting the wellbeing of children is a paramount responsibility in decision-making across government. I have signed the Duty of Care Pollies’ Pledge, committing to support a Duty of Care to protect children and future generations from the impacts of climate change, and will support legislation to hold the next government to account for decisions that will shape the world we leave behind.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “The CFA’s volunteers put themselves at risk to protect our communities, and they need the resources to do the job safely. I support increased funding, based on an independent assessment of what the CFA needs to be ready for a worsening fire season: replacing ageing trucks, upgrading stations and protective equipment, and supporting the recruitment, training and retention of volunteers. The policy as described doesn’t specify an amount or timeframe, so I’d want to see those set against that assessment, and I’d want funding delivered on a multi-year basis so brigades can plan.

I also support a dedicated climate disaster recovery fund, so that response and recovery are both properly resourced.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Tolls are a real pressure on household budgets, particularly for families and workers who have no alternative route, and I support relief. I’d seek minor amendments: better targeting to those who most rely on tolled roads, and a review of how toll prices are set and indexed, so we’re addressing the cause of rising costs and not just the bill, and making sure the $191 million delivers value for public money.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Safe, connected bike and walking routes make our communities better places to live, and they give people, including students, a cheaper way to get around. I support increasing funding for separated cycling routes, with priority given to connecting the places people actually travel between, such as schools, shopping strips, stations and parks. I’d want funding decisions based on the strength of the projects and how many people they serve, with transparent reporting, and not a fixed share of the budget regardless of need.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “Our roads are a basic public asset, and letting them deteriorate costs more in the long run. I support lifting maintenance funding, especially in regional Victoria where most state roads are and the damage is worst. But maintenance has to mean more than patching potholes. It should include long-term structural renewal that’s designed for a changing climate, with roads that can stand up to more frequent fire and flooding. Because a very large increase all at once would compete for the same workers and materials as other major projects, I’d want the funding phased sensibly and tied to a transparent assessment of need, so the money delivers lasting value.

The Victorian Government needs to show leadership in bringing the federal government to the table for additional funding to ensure a more sustainably funded road maintenance program going forward.” (Source) (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I strongly support more frequent, better-connected public transport, and it’s a priority for Croydon. The Lilydale line has some of the longest midday waits on the network, with 30-minute gaps between trains that are no different from 50 years ago. I’ll push to upgrade Lilydale and Belgrave trains to every 20 minutes or better from first to last, which can be done with the existing fleet and infrastructure.

On the buses, I’ll push for route 670 to run every 20 minutes on weekends, routes 737 and 664 to run every 15–20 minutes and every 20 minutes respectively, seven days a week from 6am to midnight, and for a review of the Croydon-area bus network to simplify routes and fix the gaps, including better access to Maroondah Hospital and Knox City. These services link people to jobs, hospitals, universities and our train stations.

Waiting times matter most for older people and people with disability, so frequency, accessible interchanges and safe, comfortable waiting facilities should be part of any upgrade.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I strongly support pausing new approvals until enforceable safeguards are in place. Data centres use large amounts of electricity and water, and Victoria’s new planning rules aren’t yet legally binding. Large projects competing for the same workers, materials and power also push up costs for everyone, which is why I want major projects phased sensibly.

Any data centre that goes ahead should pay its own way: self-sustaining in its energy and water use, with no negative impact on the community, and no extra cost passed on to households through higher power bills. Communities and councils should have a real say.

Tax needs to be part of the equation, so this doesn’t become another boom Victorians miss out on. Women and minority groups also need to be seen and heard in how AI is developed and governed, because AI draws on a history that doesn’t see these people.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I support Treaty and will oppose any effort to repeal it. Co-designing programs with the people they affect, and holding governments to account for delivering, is how we get better outcomes and better use of public money.” (Source)

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I strongly support this policy. Access to abortion care shouldn’t depend on how much you can afford or how far you live from a provider. Most abortions in Victoria are provided privately, where fees can apply even after Medicare rebates, so I support removing those costs, including travel assistance for people who need to travel long distances for care.

However, the policy needs to be broadened. The 16-week limit shouldn’t be the end of free care. Publicly funded hospitals should provide this care free of charge at any stage of pregnancy where it is clinically needed, so no one is left without support when they need it most.”

Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: “I support flexible working, and I want to see employers and employees embrace new ways of working, including working from home. But my main concern is jurisdiction. Victoria referred its industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth, and creating a new workplace right through equal opportunity law is a workaround that oversteps into federal space. It raises serious constitutional questions and sets a precedent for states to bypass the federal system.

The federal Fair Work Act already gives eligible employees a right to request flexible working arrangements, including working from home. That covers parents and carers, people with disability, people over 55, pregnant workers and those affected by family violence, with a path to dispute resolution through the Fair Work Commission. The Commission has also recently added a working from home provision to the Clerks Award. The better path is through the national system, and the labour market will do much of the work, because employers who don’t offer flexibility will find it harder to attract and keep good people.

Given the deferred implementation date, I’ll have to see what transpires after the election to determine my final position.”