Who's on your ballotVictorian state election, Saturday 28 November 2026
Showing the official VEC candidate list in ballot paper order, as at 09 Nov 2026 07:58 PM. Updated 13 Nov: Endorsement withdrawn (Preston), Who's standing again: 99 outgoing MPs, 6 new candidate profiles and more. What's changed
Back to Southern Metropolitan Region

Melissa Lowe

Independent candidate for Southern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council (upper house) at the election on Saturday 28 November.

Website: melissalowe.auInstagramFacebookXLinkedIn

On the ballot as
LOWE, Melissa
Ballot position
Group J, 1st in group
Stood for Parliament
1 time
Running against
30 others
Donations to them
None disclosed
Donations to their party
No party

The Southern Metropolitan Region, which elects five members.

Election history

  1. 28 Nov 2026 · state electionStanding for Southern Metropolitan Region as an independent.
  2. 26 Nov 2022 · state electionStood for Hawthorn District without a party, 20.0% of first preferences. Not 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

Across climate action, democratic reform, education equity and reconciliation, the thread is consistent: fairness, accountability, and long-term thinking. Since running in 2022, I have continued to deepen both my community engagement and my policy expertise. I was a plaintiff in the High Court challenging Victoria's electoral funding laws, arguing that they created an uneven playing field for community independents.

An excerpt, word for word, from Their campaign website, checked 13 Nov 2026. Follow the link for the full text.

Candidate or campaign team? Send us your website or a correction.

What they're campaigning on

Quoted word for word from Their campaign website and melissalowe.au. Each quote links to where it was published. “Not mentioned” means only that it isn't in those pages.

Their stated priorities

  1. “Give IBAC, the Ombudsman, the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner secure funding and independent appointments. Make freedom-of-information requests faster and cheaper.”
  2. “Expand help with energy efficiency and electrification for renters, apartment residents and low-income households, so the people facing the highest bills can get the savings first.”
  3. “Back police, courts and victim support with the resources to respond quickly, and publish results so we can see what is working.”
  4. “Strengthen Victoria’s legislated targets, bringing net zero forward from 2045 to 2040 and lifting the 2035 target to at least 80% below 2005 levels.”

Crime and bail

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Back police, courts and victim support with the resources to respond quickly, and publish results so we can see what is working.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 without exceptions, as medical and legal experts recommend.”melissalowe.au

Housing and renting

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Support more homes near train stations, tram routes and shopping strips, provided schools, parks, drainage and transport are funded up front through fair developer contributions, not left for later.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Seek measurable growth in social and affordable housing, with clear definitions, long-term affordability, and homes located near jobs and services.”melissalowe.au

Treaty and First Peoples

  • Website10 Nov 2026“I support Victoria’s Statewide Treaty because the old way of making decisions for First Peoples, rather than with them, has not worked, and all Victorians have paid the price.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Reduce the over-representation of First Peoples in custody and child protection by strengthening Aboriginal-controlled justice and family services.”melissalowe.au

Transport and roads

  • Website10 Nov 2026“From the Sandringham line to cross-town buses, I will push for more frequent, connected services across Southern Metropolitan, including at night and on weekends, and practical help to make electric vehicles affordable.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Trains, trams and buses that turn up on time, safe footpaths and bike routes, and cheaper-to-run cars give everyone more choices and less time stuck in traffic.”melissalowe.au

AI and technology

Not mentioned in what we read.

Gambling and racing

Not mentioned in what we read.

Cost of living

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Expand help with energy efficiency and electrification for renters, apartment residents and low-income households, so the people facing the highest bills can get the savings first.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Test new or higher taxes for fairness, including their effect on people on fixed incomes (such as retirees with valuable homes but modest incomes) and on small businesses.”melissalowe.au

Health

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Too many people are waiting too long for a hospital bed, a mental health appointment or aged care support.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“I will use my vote to put these everyday services first, and to follow the money so it reaches the front line rather than consultants and cost blowouts.”melissalowe.au

Also mentions

Climate and environment

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Strengthen Victoria’s legislated targets, bringing net zero forward from 2045 to 2040 and lifting the 2035 target to at least 80% below 2005 levels.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“I will push for yearly milestones for each sector, public reporting and independent advice so we can track progress and meet our targets.”melissalowe.au

Education

  • Website10 Nov 2026“When your child starts school, the building should be safe and the teacher supported.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“I will use my vote to put these everyday services first, and to follow the money so it reaches the front line rather than consultants and cost blowouts.”melissalowe.au

Integrity

  • Website10 Nov 2026“Give IBAC, the Ombudsman, the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner secure funding and independent appointments. Make freedom-of-information requests faster and cheaper.”melissalowe.au
  • Website10 Nov 2026“Publish my significant votes and the reasons for them, my meetings with lobbyists, and an annual report on what I promised and what I delivered.”melissalowe.au

Everyone standing in Southern Metropolitan Region

In ballot order.

How this page is made. Names, parties and ballot positions are from the VEC's official list. Bios and campaign quotes are copied word for word from the candidate's party profile or their own website, and each links to its source: we don't summarise or rate what they say. The issues are the same ones used for sitting members' records, so candidates can be compared on equal terms. Election history comes from official VEC and AEC results. Donations are as published on VEC Disclosures.