Three women are set to contest the seat of Cunningham in the 2025 Federal Election.

Incumbent Labor MP Alison Byrnes is running for a second term; paramedic and paramedic and Wollongong Ward 1 councillor Jess Whittaker is standing for the Greens; and Amanda Ivaneza, HR manager at US coal miner Peabody, is the Liberal Party candidate.

Named for an 18th-century botanist (Allan Cunningham), the Commonwealth electoral division stretches from Helensburgh to Windang, covering most of the Wollongong Local Government Area. It is home to the Bluescope steelworks at Port Kembla – which employs about 3000 people and supports an estimated 10,000 local jobs – and has been a safe Labor seat for decades, other than a two-year stint by the Greens’ Michael Organ, who was elected after a 2002 by-election.

Ahead of the 2025 election, which must take place on or before May 17, the Illawarra Flame is putting the same questions to each candidate, giving everyone a chance to share their vision for Australia.

To enrol to vote or update your details, visit the Australian Electoral Commission's website. 

Download a map of Cunningham here.

Read more

• Q&A with Amanda Ivaneza, Liberal Candidate for Cunningham 
• Q&A with Jess Whittaker, Greens candidate for Cunningham 
• Q&A with Carol Berry, Labor candidate for Whitlam