Madeleine West, a well-known Australian television actress, has stated that she will run for State Parliament in the 2023 election.
Madeleine has spent the last few weeks in the midst of calamity, witnessing the devastation wreaked by flooding in NSW’s Northern Rivers.
Madeleine, a Byron Bay native, has been assisting flood recovery efforts to the best of her ability while the area has been hammered by persistent rain.
“I’m not agitating to see change anymore, I want to be change. And so today I’m formally announcing that I intend to run for state parliament at the NSW elections next year,” she announced on Studio10 this morning to hosts Sarah Harris and Tristan McManus.
“I want to be the voice for my region. We need a strong voice on the floor, and I want to be it,” she said.
“When I first arrived in my region six years ago, I loved it as much as everyone else, but I wanted to learn more about it.
“So, I dived in deep. I’m a mum of six. I want to see the region flourish. I want to see my children flourish and everyone’s children to flourish there.”
Madeleine and her children relocated to Byron Bay from Melbourne, and she has since been involved in initiatives to improve the town, volunteering to feed homeless families in the area, and offering her time to assist with regeneration efforts.
On Instagram, Madeleine also stated her political goals.
“Today I officially announce my intention to run for State Parliament at the 2023 NSW elections,” she wrote alongside an image of herself with the Studio10 team.
“I dropped into @studio10au today to bring awareness to the #floods which have ravaged my region, and expressed my frustration at the cataclysmic failure of those at the top to deploy an adequate, timely response capable of ensuring the safety, lives and livelihoods of the very people who put them there,” she wrote.
“Australia needs a guarantee this will never happen again. We’ve talked about it enough and now is the time for action,” she added.
“Be the change you want to see. It’s never too late to change everything. Let’s go.”
She was met with overwhelming support.
“YES, MADS, YES,” commented Zoe Foster Blake.
“Yesssss !!!!!!” Olympia Valance wrote.
“Yasss! My god, you will be brilliant!” added Alex Fevola.
“Could not think of a more eloquent voice of reason, to have to fight for us. Massive chookas,” wrote Julia Morris.
Madeleine moved to the Northern Rivers six years ago after going through a series of major life events, including divorcing star chef Shannon Bennett.
Shannon relocated to Byron as well, allowing the two to share custody of their children Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia, and Margaux.
We’re excited to see Madeleine speak as a politician!
