Image: Photos: Supplied.
As a part of City Hub’s series ahead of the 2025 federal election, we’re profiling the candidates running in the electorate of Sydney.
As Sydney voters head to the polls, key issues like housing affordability, education, healthcare and more are front and centre. The election will test competing visions for what kind of city we should become—and in one the most diverse parts of the country, the future feels more contested than ever.
This year’s five candidates include: Luc Velez (Greens), Tanya Plibersek (Labor), Rachel Evans (Socialist Alliance), Alex Xu (Liberal) and Vedran Torbarac (One Nation).
Luc Velez – Greens for Sydney
From climate rallies to LGBTQIA+ rights marches, Newtown local Luc Velez doesn’t just talk about change, he’s making it. Now, the fiercely local 25-year-old community organiser and law student is boldly stepping up to the podium as Sydney’s Greens candidate.
“I love living in Sydney and being part of a progressive and diverse community where everyone is welcome. But it’s also a community where many are struggling,” says Velez.
Velez’s campaign focuses sharply on climate action, taxing big corporations for more meaningful funding and Sydney’s escalating housing crisis. “People are being priced out of their own city while Labor and the Liberals keep giving billions to property investors. “
His fix? Capping rents, building good-quality public homes, and ending tax breaks for wealthy investors.
Education is another pivotal flashpoint in his agenda. “Young people are rethinking university because of skyrocketing fees or they’re drowning in decades of debt. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister went to university for free, but he refuses to give young people today the same opportunity.”
The Greens are firmly pushing to wipe student debt wiped and make tertiary education free again.
Frustrated by political complacency, Velez believes urgency is needed in the fight for Sydney’s future. “This election, we’ll keep Dutton out and push Labor to act on cost-of-living relief.”
Driven by community and unafraid to challenge power, Velez is betting on voters to believe in the possibility of a fairer Sydney.
Tanya Plibersek – Labor
Sydney’s long history of fighting for fairness, from union battles on the Hungry Mile to the 78ers marching for pride, isn’t just history to Tanya Plibersek—it’s a blueprint to carrying forward.
“I love Sydney’s diversity, so many people from different backgrounds looking out for each other. I never take it for granted and it’s what I love most about representing it,” says the veteran MP and senior cabinet minister.
As Labor’s candidate for Sydney, Plibersek points to big ticket wins like delivering 87 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics with more on the way, tax cuts for over 120,000 locals, and millions in investment to boost arts and nightlife. “Our community is creative, passionate, and caring—we’re backing it with real support.”
Housing is central to her pitch. “We’ve started the biggest housing build in Australia’s history, helping first home buyers and renters.”
She also highlights Labor’s work to deliver cheaper medicines, free TAFE, lower uni debt and vowing more support for working families to ease cost-of-living pressures, if elected
On mental health efforts, Labor’s investments are pitched as both practical and urgent, from vastly expanding headspace networks to building more Medicare Mental Health centres.
Her message to voters? Stability and progress. “Labor is tackling cost-of-living pressures while Dutton’s Liberals would cut services and divide communities.”
Her vision for Sydney’s future is clear: a city connected by community, secured by strong services, and driven by opportunity for all.
Rachel Evans – Socialist Alliance
From the steps of Warrane to Mardi Gras parades and Green Bans, Rachel Evans sees Sydney as a city defined by rebellion—a tradition she’s ready to continue.
“Gadigal Country has always been a place of resilience — against colonisation, for queer rights, for workers. It brings out the best of what humanity can be—fierce, proud, and unafraid to fight for justice,” she says.
Evans runs on an uncompromising platform of housing justice, climate action, and grassroots power. “The real culprits? It’s local investors. There are over a million homes sitting empty every night, while people are sleeping in tents. That’s not a crisis—it’s a choice.”
She strongly proposes ending the demolition of public housing and diverting military spending into rebuilding homes.
On climate, Evans paints a radical future: “Imagine a solar-powered, eco-socialist Sydney—a harbour city full of green spaces, carbon sinks, and communities that actually support one another.”
As temperatures rise, she warns that ‘climate collapse, driven by capitalism, is threatening life as we know it,’ and criticises Labor for backing 33 new coal and gas projects.
With 35 years of activism to back her, Evans insists real change won’t come from Parliament alone: “I led the grassroots fight for marriage equality—it was tough, but it showed me what’s possible when communities organise and stand up together.”
She also envisions free public education at all levels, wages for student teachers and workers, and mass free public transit systems that serve people rather than cars.
As for supporting community culture, Evans calls for councils to open unused spaces for artists, properly pay cultural workers and back free events—from book fairs to street-wide music and theatre festivals.
And when it comes to mental health? “Let’s tax all the billionaires and use that money where it counts—funding free, community-centred care and ending climate destruction for all,” states Evans.
Her final call to voters: “Vote for progressives — but more than that, get involved. Organise. Resist. Build the future we deserve.”
For more information on the 2025 federal election, your electorate, or to check your voting information is up to date, head to aec.gov.au.
Alex Xu (Liberal) and Vedran Torbarac (One Nation) did not respond by the time of publication.
