Paul Pateras was born in Werribee, and his family's connection to the community goes back generations. His great-grandfather began farming in the district in 1936, and his grandfather continued that tradition after arriving in Australia. Growing up, Paul worked part-time on their family farm alongside his parents and extended family, growing fresh produce for Victorian families. It taught him the value of hard work, family and contributing to his community.

As a husband, father and small-business owner, Paul understands the pressures families are facing because he's experiencing them too - rising grocery, fuel, energy and household costs, and the challenge of making a family or business budget stretch further.

For more than 22 years, Paul has worked as a security contractor and small-business owner. That experience has given him a practical understanding of crime prevention, risk, and community safety.

"Every person in Werribee deserves to feel safe in their home, on their street and in their community."

"Werribee's population has grown rapidly, but infrastructure and essential services haven't always kept pace. The community deserves its fair share of roads, public transport, healthcare, schools and other essential services."

Paul is standing because he believes Parliament needs more people with real-world experience - people who understand what it's like to run a business, pay bills, raise a family and deal with the same everyday pressures as the people they represent.

Paul's priorities are straightforward: safer communities and stronger law and order, easing cost-of-living pressures, affordable and reliable energy, better housing opportunities, responsible government spending, and ensuring Werribee receives the infrastructure and services its growing community needs.

Paul doesn't pretend one person can fix everything. But he believes a determined local representative can make a real difference by listening, speaking up and fighting to make sure their community is heard.