Hi, I’m Renée Coffey

I’m Labor’s candidate for Griffith. I’ve spent my life working for fairness, equality and meaningful change—through teenage activism, grassroots reconciliation work, and leading national charities. Most recently, I was CEO of a youth mental health organisation. I live in the electorate with my husband and our children. My stepdaughters went to WESS and State High.

Strengthening our community together

West End is colourful, progressive, diverse and inclusive. I launched my campaign at Come to Daddy. I get my supplies from Mick’s Nuts. I had my first breakfast date with my now husband at Morning After! I love the vibrance of West End Coffee House and sense of family at Posto. I still miss Chop Chop Chang’s and the piano in Bunyapa Park.

We’re lucky to have so many community groups and major arts and cultural organisations based right here. But as our neighbourhood grows, we need to make sure we hold on to what makes it special. That means investing in public infrastructure, making housing more affordable, and ensuring that development is aligned with community expectations—not imposed from above.

My activism

My activism started in high school —with refugee rallies in King George Square, volunteering for Amnesty International, and launching Young Australians for Anti-Racism and Reconciliation. I was a youth speaker at Corroboree 2000, and helped lead the Yes23 campaign locally. Professionally, I’ve led organisations focused on reconciliation, education opportunities for First Nations young people, and youth mental health organisations—always with a focus on advocacy, equity and empowerment.

Delivering for our community

In just three years under Labor, wages are moving, inflation is easing, interest rates have dropped, and unemployment is low. Cost-of-living relief is rolling out—more tax cuts for every worker, another $150 off power bills, and a 20% cut to HECS debt.

I know education is one of our greatest enablers. Labor is investing in every stage of education from making early childhood education and learning cheaper and guaranteeing access to three days of subsidised early education, fully funding our public schools and making free TAFE permanent.

We’ve capped PBS medications at $25 and are investing to make 90% of GP visits free. We’ve secured a second Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Griffith. Labor’s investing $1 billion in Medicare-funded mental health clinics and delivering the biggest ever investment in women’s health—including support for menopause, infertility, pelvic pain and endo clinics, and inclusive IVF access.

We’re building 1.2 million homes—the largest housing build in Australia’s history. We’re making renting fairer and helping more people buy their first home—despite 18 months of delays from other parties. But there is more to be done.

Building an environmentally sustainable future

As a LEAN (Labor Environment Action Network) Champion, I’m passionate about climate action and protecting our environment. I championed saving Toondah Harbour at Labor’s National Conference—something that has now been achieved. I’m also proud we’ve protected Jabiluka by adding it to Kakadu National Park. Labor has made Australia a global leader on climate, with renewables generating 46% of our electricity. Net Zero by 2050 is now law, and our plan to cut the cost of home batteries by 30% and deliver one million new batteries by 2030 will support a smooth, just transition to renewables—while helping bring down power bills.

We cannot risk a minority LNP government

This is a community that leads with its heart. We cannot risk going backwards under Peter Dutton and we cannot risk a minority LNP government. This election, I’m asking for your support and #1 vote to ensure that we have a seat at the table, and we return an Albanese Labor Government.

Main picture: Renee Coffey (left) with volunteers in West End