Kimberley Wheeler

About Me

I am a musician, songwriter, and the owner of a small IT services business. My journey into Labor activism was born from the front lines of the union movement. As the Federal President of Musicians and a Board Director at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) , I represent the people who provide the "colour and texture" of our communities, the grassroots creatives who have faced unprecedented precarity in the wake of the pandemic.

I have been an active Labor member since 2020, serving as a proxy at the 2023 National Conference and currently co-chairing the VLP Culture, Sport & Tourism Policy Committee . I also serve as an administrator for the Good Karma Network in North Melbourne, fostering local social cohesion through resource-sharing and community support. Growing up in rural Geelong, I’ve always understood that connected communities are resilient and healthy communities.

Why I am Standing as an Independent

I believe Labor is at a crossroads. As a non-aligned candidate, I am beholden only to our shared Labor values and the interests of our members and not to factional deals or internal power blocs. We are the democratic socialist party of Australia, and we must choose "Socialism over Barbarism" by prioritising people and the environment over corporations. My independence allows me to negotiate without obstacles, bridging divides and advocating for a kinder, more equal Australia for all.

My Priorities for the 2026 National Conference

1. A Fairer Society: Inclusion, Affordability, and Opportunity

Social cohesion is under threat by a rising tide of populism, disinformation and an opposition in disarray. I am committed to rebuilding a society where everyone, recent and long-term Australians alike, can thrive. We must address income inequality and ensure every worker is paid a fair and living wage.

Management of Migration: I advocate for a humanitarian and consistent approach to immigration and refugees, ensuring dignity is at the heart of our borders. Through MEAA, I support ethical reporting on asylum seekers and policies that prevent the exploitation of migrant workers.

Young People & Affordability: We must buck the trend of inequality that is locking young people out of housing and secure futures. This means tackling the "gig-ification" of the economy and ensuring that education and artistic pathways remain affordable and accessible.

Fighting Hate Speech: While I support strengthening our laws to combat hate speech and vilification, I acknowledge that to combat the division in our society, like what we are seeing with the rise of One Nation, this action alone is not enough.

2. Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Age of AI

AI is more than a tool; it is an extractive industry. We need urgent, economy-wide legislation and guardrails that look beyond mere copyright to address the holistic impact of this technology:

Environmental Impact: AI models consume massive amounts of energy and water. We must ensure technology "innovation" doesn't come at the cost of our climate goals or resource security.

Cultural Sovereignty & Homogenization: Unregulated AI risks drowning out unique Australian voices in a sea of homogenized, algorithmically generated content. We must protect our "Australia voice" and ensure First Nations' cultural expressions are not systematically scraped and devalued.

Data Sovereignty: Our personal and creative data is being mined by global tech titans without consent. I advocate for mandatory guardrails and transparency that keep control of Australian data in Australian hands.

Worker Protections: Through the MEAA "Stop AI Theft" campaign, I am fighting to ensure that if a machine uses human skill to create profit, the human is compensated and the work is credited.

3. Environment & LEAN

I believe the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) should be more prominent in the hearts and minds of our member base. Their focus on people, place, and environment provides the roadmap we need for a sustainable future, including household electrification and national environment law reform.

4. Upholding Democratic Freedoms

Democracy thrives on honesty and accountability. I am a staunch advocate for freedom of the press and the fundamental right to protest. Context: Through my work with MEAA, I support the Your Right to Know campaign, which fights against the criminalization of journalism and protects the public's access to truth.

Have Your Say

Our party is strongest when every member is heard. I encourage you to use your vote to ensure a broad, democratic range of voices at the National Conference. Please don't waste your vote, your voice is important.