Diverse MPs reflect a changing Victoria

Candidates from various backgrounds are breaking down barriers as they strive to serve their communities in the halls of power.

Nicole Werner is the first Asian-Australian woman elected to Victoria’s Legislative Assembly.

The Malaysian-Australian represents the electorate of Warrandyte, which covers suburbs across the north-east of Melbourne.

'I sit in that chamber, and I have been the only Asian woman in the room,' Ms Werner said.

'You can either feel intimidated by that, or you can choose to feel empowered by it.'

Ms Werner was elected to parliament in a by-election, similar to Lower House counterpart Eden Foster, an Indian-Australian, who represents the seat of Mulgrave.   

In late 2024 Samoan born Anasina Gray-Barberio was sworn in to represent the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

This progress demonstrates a clear shift toward a parliament that better mirrors the state’s diverse population.

Despite these advances, systemic challenges persist for many aspiring leaders. The path to politics often requires significant financial resources, time and connections, which can exclude people from lower-income or minority backgrounds.

Ms Werner, whose journey to parliament began with volunteer work for the Liberal Party, recalls her own struggles with preconceived notions about politics.

As well as being a woman of colour, Ms Werner had also believed her young age would be a preventative factor in her election.

'There’s a stereotype that a politician is often an older male, often Caucasian,' she said.

'I thought you had to wait until the end of your career to go into politics. That definitely kept me from getting involved sooner.'

Her turning point came in 2020, during her tenure managing a Foodbank charity in Melbourne, where demand for food surged from 200 to 3,000 people per week.

'I remember thinking, "wow, government decisions impact individual lives—for better or for worse",' she said.

'I knew I wanted to make a difference and make things better for our community.'

MP Meng Heang Tak, a Cambodian-Australian who represents the Clarinda electorate, is also eager to build a path for all Victorians to enter politics.

Moving to Australia from Cambodia at age 16, Mr Tak understands the many struggles migrants face and he advocates on their behalf.

He served as a councillor for the City of Dandenong, including as mayor before he was first elected to parliament in 2018. His legal career and double degree in Law and Arts at Victoria University provided a strong foundation for his political aspirations.

'Being a member of parliament for Victoria is not only an honour and a privilege for myself and my family, but also for my Cambodian community,' Mr Tak said.

He wants to inspire future leaders from diverse backgrounds to engage in politics.

'Coming from a multicultural background, I see opportunities for people from diverse communities to break barriers and engage in the political process,' he said.

'I encourage young people to get involved in community conversations, particularly those with a strong desire to serve and give back.'

While progress is made, the journey is far from over. Financial constraints remain a significant hurdle for culturally and linguistically diverse people wanting to access political opportunities.

'Most people struggling to make ends meet can’t afford to run for office,' Ms Werner noted.

As the cost of living rises, individuals from lower and middle-income backgrounds often lack the resources to step into leadership roles.

Many engage in online discourse or grassroots activism but face barriers when attempting to scale their involvement to formal politics.

Despite these obstacles, the increasing presence of diverse MPs in the Victorian Parliament is a promising sign. It reflects a community that is evolving and striving for more inclusive representation.

Ms Werner remains optimistic and hopes to empower women in her local community.

'I’ve broken through, and I hope there’s many more women like me from diverse backgrounds that follow,' she said.