Lauren Kathage
Australian Labor Party candidate for Yan Yean District in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) at the election on Saturday 28 November. Currently the member for Yan Yean, first elected in 2022.
Website: laurenkathage.com.auFacebookInstagram
- On the ballot as
- KATHAGE, Lauren
- Ballot position
- 1
- Stood for Parliament
- 1 time, elected once
- Running against
- 7 others
- Donations to them
- None disclosed
- Donations to their party
- $2.2m
Yan Yean in violet, within the Northern Victoria Region.
Election history
- 28 Nov 2026 · state electionStanding for Yan Yean District as Australian Labor Party.
- 26 Nov 2022 · state electionStood for Yan Yean District as Australian Labor Party - Victorian Branch, 41.4% of first preferences. Elected. Results
Covers Victorian state elections since 2022 (with by-elections) and federal elections in Victoria in 2022 and 2025, matched on name and party or electorate. A filled marker means elected. Council elections aren't included yet.
In their own words
Prior to entering Parliament, Lauren spent more than twenty years volunteering and working with communities in Australia and abroad. She led remote housing and homelessness projects right through to managing multi-million dollar nationwide programs that trained healthcare workers, improved income generation opportunities for regional communities and increased the number of kids with disabilities that attended school.
An excerpt, word for word, from Victorian Labor candidate profile, checked 13 Nov 2026. Follow the link for the full text.
Candidate or campaign team? Send us your website or a correction.
Their record and what they're campaigning on
Lauren Kathage is a sitting member, so each issue starts with their record in Parliament: a summary of how they voted, what they said and the portfolios they held, with the count of sources behind it. Party members usually vote together, so a vote often reflects the party's position. See the full record with every source.
Campaign quotes are word for word from Victorian Labor candidate profile and laurenkathage.com.au. Each quote links to where it was published. “Not mentioned” means only that it isn't in those pages.
Their stated priorities
- “My passion is to make life easier for local families – and I want to make sure that you have access to decent transport options, jobs, quality education, and healthcare.”
Crime and bail
In ParliamentHas backed the government's bill to protect retail and transport workers from abuse, and opposed the introduction of an opposition bill on emergency worker sentencing. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. 1 vote, 2 statements
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Housing and renting
In ParliamentHas defended developer contributions that fund infrastructure in growth areas and said new estates should get roads and services before more lots open. Voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced in April 2026 (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 2 statements
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Treaty and First Peoples
In ParliamentSpoke in support of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and voted for it. 1 vote, 1 statement
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Transport and roads
In ParliamentHas raised local road projects, including pedestrian safety on Donnybrook Road and a second exit from the Wallara Waters estate. Voted for the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. 1 vote, 2 statements
- Website10 Nov 2026“My passion is to make life easier for local families – and I want to make sure that you have access to decent transport options, jobs, quality education, and healthcare.”laurenkathage.com.au
AI and technology
In ParliamentOpposed the introduction of the Greens' AI data centres moratorium bill, pointing to the government's energy planning and local jobs, and voted against letting it be introduced (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 1 statement
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Gambling and racing
In ParliamentSpoke in support of the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 on gaming machine monitoring licences. 1 statement
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Cost of living
In ParliamentHas described cost-of-living pressure on local families and pointed to the government's diesel reserve for farmers. 1 statement
Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.
Health
In ParliamentHas pointed to upgrades at the Northern Hospital and spoken in support of making dental care free. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 2 statements
- Website10 Nov 2026“My passion is to make life easier for local families – and I want to make sure that you have access to decent transport options, jobs, quality education, and healthcare.”laurenkathage.com.au
Also mentions
Education
- Website10 Nov 2026“My passion is to make life easier for local families – and I want to make sure that you have access to decent transport options, jobs, quality education, and healthcare.”laurenkathage.com.au
Everyone standing in Yan Yean District
- KATHAGE, Lauren Australian Labor Party
- JOHNSON, Jeremy One Nation Victoria
- BELL, Andrew Victorian Socialists
- HALL, James Family First
- OKATAN, Sinan Animal Justice Party
- DOW, Amanda Liberal
- MOHAMMED, Gufran The Greens
- CHEERS, Troy Libertarian (formerly Liberal Democrats)
In ballot order.