SHARON Knight had no hesitation putting her hand up again for this year's state election after four years as a sitting member of parliament.
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However, she believes this year's election race will be different.
"Last time I was candidate, so I was still doing my work at Lifeline work, this time I am an MP and will be campaigning as well," she said.
"To me it is a new experience, I am really excited about it.
"I had no hesitation what-so-ever in making that decision again, I know it will be hard but I am up for the fight."
Ms Knight said it was personal experience as the carer for her son Tom, who has autism and an intellectual disability, that prompted her to take the step into politics.
"I have made no secret of this, when my son was diagnosed with a disability, trying to go through and access services for him and the struggles I encountered, that made me realise how important policy is to people's everyday lives," she said.
"That is when I really tuned into my Labor values and I really believe this is the party for me and this is the party that represents people like me much better than the others do.
"It was a slow realisation but that was the pivotal point of having to access services for one of my kids and for my family and then seeing there was an entire group of people experiencing the same struggles."
The new seat of Wendouree brings with it slightly different borders than previous years meaning Ms Knight will face a changed electorate compared with 2010, however, she said many of the same issues remained.
"I really want to work closely with schools, education is the most important infrastructure we can build," she said.
"I really want to also continue working with local communities about how they want to see their community, where is the pride, where do they put their value?
"Here we are standing in Wendouree, this is a community full of assets that need to be acknowledged and need to be respected.
"How do we build on those assets so young people in the community have pathways to education and pathways to jobs."
Sharon Knight answers our 10 questions
How should we make our community safer?
Well crime has gone up under the Napthine government. Family violence is a real issue, a real problem for our community, in fact all communities.
I am really proud that Labor has made a commitment about having a Royal Commission about what are the root causes of family violence.
As someone who worked in the area over 30 years ago, I see that as critical and timely and we should absolutely do that and take it seriously and that is what we will do.
I think that giving juries a say in sentencing is important. I also think it important to keep young people engaged so to make sure young people have access education and access to employment.
I also reckon having a lot of people in the middle of town, I think one of the things about safety in the community is getting more people in there not less, more people around, lots of colour and lots of movement, that is what I believe around community safety
Should Civic Hall be restored or demolished?
Well it is an issue that has been going on for a while.
Look, at the moment we have a facility that is not being used and that is a real shame. I think it is a responsibility of council and a very serious responsibility. I believe we should have a whole lot of community input into that use attached to it.
My personal opinion is I would like to see what is going to happen with that site that will determine how that building would be used.
I think the critical factor for me, is that there has to be a component of community use attached to it.
If the hall is to be refurbished for community use that is great, if it needs to be knocked down to accommodate a bigger plan, as long as that plan includes community use I am fine with that.
Ultimately it is a council decision.
What action should be taken on climate change?
Well I think we need to believe in it, that would be a good start.
Obviously Labor believes in climate change, we believe in the science behind it. I believe we do have to set targets, we do have to have strong policies, that support a reduction so that we can have a healthy environment. We have to believe in it and we have to commit to it
Do you think same-sex marriage should be legal?
Yes, yes I do.
I don't believe in discrimination at any level, I think if two people love each other and they want to get married they should.
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
I do, I believe abortion should is an issue for discussion between a woman and her doctor.
What is the biggest infrastructure priority for Ballarat?
I think we need to put some importance on economic infrastructure, like the Ballarat West Employment Zone.
I think equally important is social infrastructure, which is why I am pretty excited about the redevelopment of Eureka Stadium and that whole precinct, that social infrastructure. Even though it brings those economic benefits as well, I think it is good that locals have great facilities as well.
I think school infrastructure, so for example the funding of the next stage of Phoenix P-12 is really important. Phoenix is an amazing school and we have seen how that school has developed over the past couple of years and I am really proud of it and really proud that we have committed to the next stage of the funding.
Should tomato sauce be free with a meat pie?
Absolutely.
The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
At the moment The Rolling Stones, I don't know what it is but, boy I am into them at the moment
What's your favourite TV show?
It is Judge Judy, I love Judge Judy, I want to be her.
What's your favourite meal?
My favourite meal, I reckon it's lasagne. There is something so comforting about eating lasagne, maybe because it is so cold today I am thinking about that.