The inadequate public transport service makes people's lives very difficult and expensive. That's why I campaign for free, frequent and expanded public transport.

To fix the public transport crisis, it needs to be brought back into public ownership and control.

I advocate 100 per cent renewable energy which will deliver thousands of needed jobs in the west.

An urgent program of large-scale water recycling and stormwater harvesting is necessary to cope with a permanent pattern of low rainfall.

I also want to phase out the pokies. With political will and your involvement this is all possible.

Mark Rose (Liberal)

THE byelection is an opportunity for the constituents of Altona to send a message to Labor that they want real action on our community's needs.

As a police officer for the last 17 years, I have witnessed first-hand many of the problems impacting our community – anti-social behaviour, alcohol fuelled violence and hoon drivers. I fully support the Coalition's tough initiatives to crack down on crime so we can make our streets safe again.

The residents of Altona deserve a public transport service that isn't a mess. It is not good enough that our trains are overcrowded and unreliable. We need a better and more efficient transport system.

Congestion on our roads is getting out of control and is affecting how much time we spend with our families. Our local roads are over-used and in desperate need of an upgrade. These projects have been overlooked and that's not fair.

I will use my skills to boost services in Altona, and to ensure our families get just as much of a fair go as those on the other side of the West Gate Bridge.

David Strangward (Greens)

I'M your public transport candidate. I've lived in Altona North for 14 years, working as a management consultant and with my brother in our family electrical business.

I joined the Greens because I was looking to make a difference, and I was tired of the old two-party political circus. People are flocking to our area but everyone knows there needs to be long-term planning like: Trains that turn up reliably, and often. A bus that connects with every train, morning till night – so you have a choice to leave the car behind.

A water tank for every house.

Better schools and hospitals – so residents don't have to trek across Melbourne.

Protecting natural spaces people love from inappropriate development and climate change. It's not rocket science.

Andrew Rixon

DID not respond.

Brian Shaw (Independent)

I have lived in this area all of my life.

My primary reason for nominating, in addition to my concern for the district issues, is to reveal certain legal and constitutional alterations that have already taken place without the required referendum process having occurred.

My primary purpose is to make state and Commonwealth politicians directly accountable to their electorate and to fully inform the electorate of what is occurring and why. For example, a new Commonwealth constitution under the banner of republic is intended to remove all private ownership of land and to abolish the states of Australia, inclusive of the state of Victoria. Which means that the state electorate of Altona would cease to exist, without the knowledge of nor consent of the electorate of Altona.

Jill Hennessy (Labor)

I am thrilled to stand as the ALP candidate for Altona. My family and I have lived in the western suburbs for more than 15 years, which is why I am committed to providing local services to support working families.

I understand that families living here want the Brumby Labor government to continue to invest in good schools for our children and to support local industries to provide secure jobs.

I have been a community volunteer in the past and I understand what's important to local families. Through my time as Chair of the Victorian Working Families Council and as a Western Health board member, I have worked to secure better local health and community services.

We need a government that has a record of understanding the needs of working families living in the western suburbs. Only Labor has invested in the western suburbs to provide better services and I want to work with residents to ensure our needs remain a priority.