Our People
- Wes Bas: SOL's NSW Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
As the candidate for New South Wales Wes already has a strong community background. A police officer with over seven years experience in general duties and corporate policing he also volunteers with a number of charities in his spare time. This community work has lead to Wes sitting on the board of a major community health organisation since 2008.
Wes’ interest in politics has spawned from his community work and wanting to be able to make a difference at a national level. He sees his involvement with Senator Online as an opportunity to be the vehicle for Australians to voice their opinions on government policy and direction.
Facebook : www.facebook.com/WesleyBas
- Brianna Roach: SOL's 2nd NSW Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Having grown up on Sydney’s northern beaches, Brianna is proudly Australian and is keen to contribute to society. Her interest in democracy stems from her legal background. She is particularly concerned that younger voters are largely unrepresented in the political arena. Brianna sees SOL as responding directly to this issue, in that SOL increases the relevance of politics to young voters through the use of frequent, effective, online communication.
Brianna has worked in law firms for the past five years and is on track to complete her combined law degree (with Honours) at the end of this year.
Brianna is articulate, well educated and a forward thinker, and we are proud to have her as our second candidate for NSW.
- Scott Reading: SOL's QLD Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
A patriotic Australian and passionate Queenslander Scott’s interest in Politics stems from his strong belief in democracy and the will of the majority view. As the Queensland SOL candidate he brings over 20 years of life experience to the role – as a husband and father, a manager, a director, a leader , a carer and advocate he has the drive and determination to get the job done.
Scott is most proud of his volunteer work for the disabled community where he is a director of one of Queensland’s most progressive children’s charities.
He looks forward to serving the great people of Queensland and Australia by providing accountability and returning the Senate to a house of review, rather than a house of rubber stamps which only benefits the major Political Parties.
- Joh Embrey: SOL's 2nd QLD Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Joh was born and raised in Queensland and has lived there all his life. Living most of his teenage and adult life in Brisbane he knows the place fairly well. He also enjoys traveling to different cities and exploring the many wonders Australia has to offer. He has strong values, and is not afraid to fight for what he believes in. He has a strong work ethic and this will no doubt transfer to his position as Senator. He studies at Griffith University and is doing a Bachelor of Psychology.
His studies has given him unique insight into the human mind, and he understands the motivations causing over one million eligible voters to never register. He intends to take to the ground running getting involved in as much as possible and finding out what’s important to the everyday Aussie. He will not waste this opportunity to finally bring true democracy back to Australia.
.JPG)
- Glenn Sargent: SOL's VIC Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
This is Glenn’s first foray into politics. He is a passionate Australian who has had a keen interest in politics and the policies that have determined our nation’s direction since his student days. Glenn is one of those growing number of Australians who has become disgruntled with the operation of Australian politics, believes our democracy needs to be repaired and the Senate returned to operating in the manner that our forefathers (who penned our constitution) envisaged.
He has been an innovator in Australian Business especially with regard to investment services and products, served on the committees on a number of clubs and has spent the majority of his life living in Melbourne.
Website : www.sargentsol.org
- Simon Lang: SOL's SA Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Simon is a PhD candidate studying computer science at Flinders University. He also works as a part time teacher at Flinders. Born and bred in S.A., he has a strong interest in national and international politics. His background in IT and his observations of national and international politics makes him confident that online, direct participation is not only possible, but vital if the power of democracy is to be steered back into Australian hands.
A firm believer of informed opinions, he will always stay open-minded to any discussion without jumping the gun. Because of this he's decided to step up and get involved in the Senator Online campaign.
- Jamie Dawson: SOL's 2nd SA Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Jamie grew up in the Adelaide Hills and has strong belief that Australians as a whole have the intelligence and wisdom to take on a more active role in how this country is run. Coming from a working back ground in the Agriculture and Mining industries he has a good work ethic and is used to long hours. He is dedicated to trying to give a voice back to the everyday Australian that is quite often not heard over smaller more vocal groups.
Jamie hopes that SOL will re-inspire everyday Australians to get involved in how their own country is run. He feels that SOL offers a much needed alternative that many people have been looking for.
- Daniel Mayer: SOL's WA Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Daniel Mayer sees The Senator Online Party as the most exciting and innovative change to the Australian democratic process since Federation.
Daniel works as a media, marketing-advertising, public relations advisor and strategist and has worked across Australia, the Middle East, USA and Europe. His public relations and advertising projects created sensations in the Middle East.
He has advised high profile corporations, groups and individuals including National Geographic, Prime Minister's offices and Microsoft.
Daniel is hands-on, and not only ‘thinks out of the box’ but also continually pushes the envelope to discover new ways to help solve long-standing problems.
His personal pursuits include communal activities, writing social commentaries, research, cycling and raising 5 children in Perth.
- Keturah Hoffman: SOL's 2nd WA Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Dr Keturah Hoffman is Vascular Physician in Western Australia and has been involved in administration and politics for some time. Founding President of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia and executive member of two Vascular Medicine Societies, she has experience in leadership, corporate governance, administration, policy development and research.
Business owner, Past Telstra Business Woman of the year finalist, Mental Health advocate, author and regular committee and action group member she has a strong sense of ethics and fairness.
She remains closely in touch with the community and firmly believes that the needs of the people are not being met under the current system of government.The role of a successful Senator Online candidate is to give voice to the thinking public.
- Julie Murray: SOL's TAS Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Check back soon for Julie Murray's biography!
- Sven Wiener: SOL's 2nd TAS Candidate for 2010 Federal Election
Sven Wiener is a Swine and Dairy farmer who grew up in Tasmania's Tamar Valley. Sven holds a first class honours degree in electrical engineering at the University of Tasmania.
Sven was instrumental in petitioning George Town Council to conduct its January 2008 pulp mill elector poll as well as finishing fourth as the independent candidate for Bass in the 2007 Federal election.
Sven hopes that Senator Online's offering of direct democracy might ultimately assist in ensuring the accountability of both the Federal and Tasmanian governments. See more at his candidate website: www.svenwiener.orgAside from this, Sven enjoys taking time out kayaking, cycle touring, bushwalking and snorkelling.
- Berge Der Sarkissian: Founder
Like many Australians I am concerned that the majority view is often sidelined by a vocal minority, lobby groups or political deal doing.
Like many Australians I find it difficult to get accurate information on various issues.
This is a simple concept, to have the internet enable better communication between voters & politicians.
I hope Senator Online can make our government more progressive.
Website: www.bergedersarkissian.com.au
- Zoe Lamont: Communications
Zoe Lamont sees Senator Online (SOL) as a forward thinking initiative that will increase general political awareness and encourage Australians to play a part in our national decision making.
Following time overseas working as a volunteer on projects across Africa, India, Thailand and Fiji, Zoe returned with a new appreciation of Australia and joined the Senator Online party in the hope of promoting an ethic of personal responsibility as the basis of social policy - for positive change and progression in the future.
With a background in public relations, a passion for life, people and the land, and family from Wagga Wagga to Katanning, Zoe feels that SOL can provide a platform for independent discussion and a voice in Parliament for people all across Australia to be heard.
- Lara Vella: Communications
Growing up in Sydney’s Inner West is where Lara’s interest in politics first developed; where strong and diverse community ties empower the delivery of broad representation within social policy.
Lara believes that the internet has the potential to bridge the gap between the bureaucratic delivery of policy, and translate “politics” into a language that all Australians will engage with.
Lara joined Senator Online in 2009, shortly after graduating from The University of Notre Dame, Australia, with a degree in Communications and Politics. She is currently working as an online journalist for an Australian television news network.
- Nick Debenham: Overall Strategy
Nick Debenham was Managing Director of QM Technologies, which was one of Australia's leading business process outsourcing providers. Currently Nick has several business interests, works part time as a management consultant and is President of Manly Lawn Tennis Club.
His career background includes many years in the IT industry. He sees the internet as a mechanism to significantly improve democracy.
Nick served on the Board of Qld Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Qld branch of the Australian Information Industry Association.
Aged 57, married with 4 children, Nick lives in Sydney.
- Mik Forfa: Marketing Strategy
Mik sees Senator Online as a tool to get the regular person more involved with politics and the management of their country. His drive stems from the general feeling that we don't have enough input into the policies that essentially represent us as a country abroad and affect our future quality of life at home. This has led most people to switch off from politics altogether and just accept the policies they don't agree with.
The idea of having an unbiased source of information and a system for actually taking action in real time with the ease of the internet is something worth seriously pursuing.
