I’m Remah Naji, a local mum, tertiary education worker and community organiser.
I’m not a career politician. I’m running for parliament to give everyday people a voice, and hold our leaders accountable.
My parents were Palestinian refugees, and I grew up in Jordan. Since moving to Australia 12 years ago, I’ve lived in Yeronga, Annerley, Pallara, and now Tarragindi, where my husband and I are raising our two kids.
I studied linguistics and communication at university, and I love swimming, hosting dinner parties, and relaxing in beautiful local green spaces like Toohey Forest and Yeronga Memorial Park.
Alongside my work at the University of Queensland, I volunteer with a range of local projects and organisations, particularly playgroups and our local school fetes.
Every corner of Brisbane’s south side is special to me, from Yeronga Community Centre where I first met my best friends, to the local park where my daughter learned how to climb trees, to the Fairfield, Annerley and Sunnybank libraries where I spent countless hours reading and connecting with neighbours.
I believe that elected representatives need to focus more on giving everyday people a meaningful say in the big decisions that shape our lives. But unfortunately, our democracy has been hijacked by big corporations.
So my priority is strengthening democracy and standing up against political corruption. I want to put integrity, justice and community ahead of the interests of billionaires and big corporations.
You might not agree with every single Greens policy, but hopefully you’ll agree with me that we need some big changes to our political system, because for most of us, the status quo isn’t working very well.
You can read more about my background and what I stand for below. But if you’re ready to get active and support our movement for positive change, I’d love it if you could sign up to volunteer and/or make a donation to our campaign.
Remah with Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters
A people-powered movement
Growing up Palestinian among Palestinian refugees helped shape my sense of social justice. I refuse to accept homelessness, poverty, racism, and domestic and sexual violence as normal aspects of our society. I refuse to live in a world where genocide is normalised and accountability is obscured, and I will not wait decades to see justice prevail.
From First Nations justice, to climate, housing, disability justice, workers’ rights and more, our movement is not leaving anyone behind. As a woman of colour who has forged deep connections with people from many different backgrounds, I'm here to unite people and build a coalition that amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard or ignored.
If we are to freeze rents and build public housing, cancel HECS debt and make university free again, and bring dental and mental health into Medicare, then it’s going to take all of us. If we are serious about representing diverse communities, we need to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table and that our voices are central to every discussion. This means moving beyond alienation and stereotypes to truly listen and engage with different perspectives.
If you believe in a better world, where political parties don’t receive millions in corporate donations and aren’t influenced by lobbyists but rather by the voices of their communities, then you can donate or volunteer to get involved in this movement.
Change in parliament and on the streets
I don't believe that running for parliament alone is enough to change our world for the better. We need to use a wide range of strategies and channels, and remember that true change comes through community, from the bottom up.
If you choose me to represent our community, I aim to:
- keep you informed and seek meaningful feedback from residents whenever I have to make a tough decision that significantly impacts people’s lives
- be up-front and transparent about where I stand - no secret deals behind closed doors
- cooperate and compromise to secure better outcomes for our community, without selling out to big business. I won’t choose power and personal gain over speaking up for what’s right.
A better world is within reach. Join our movement today.