Antoinette (Tony) Briffa, the world’s first openly intersex public office bearer and 2026 Victorian Pride Award Person of the Year, has announced they will be standing as a Community Independent Candidate for Williamstown District in the November Victorian State Election.
The Williamstown District includes the suburbs of Altona, Altona North, Brooklyn, Newport, Seaholme, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Williamstown, Williamstown North & part of Yarraville.
Briffa previously served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Hobsons Bay three times and was Mayor twice. They announced they were not seeking re-election in 2024.
Today, announcing they would stand as a Community Independent Candidate, they said they were “honoured to have also received the endorsement of the Voices of Williamstown State Electorate for the Victorian State Election”.
View this post on Instagram
“I was born in Altona and have lived in our local area my entire life” Briffa said, announcing their decision to run. “I’m very passionate about our community and supporting people, community groups, businesses and our environment.”
Related content:
- Congratulations to the winners of the 12th Victorian Pride Awards
- Victorian Parliament passes intersex medical intervention reform
- Trailblazing Victorian councillor Tony Briffa to retire
‘I have a lifetime of service to our community’
Briffa was the Convenor of the Hobsons Bay Residents Association prior to being elected to the Hobsons Bay City Council in 2008. They first served as Mayor in 2011, and was re-elected to the council in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
“I have a lifetime of service to our community,” Briffa said, “Professionally, my career has included working for Defence, the Australian Federal Police and the aviation provider for Ambulance Victoria.”
“As a former Bail Justice, I regularly refused bail to accused persons that were a risk to the community, and I have been a Justice of the Peace since 2005. I’m also an Honorary Fellow of Victoria University.”
“I’m keen to have your support to ensure our community has strong, effective, experienced and genuine representation in Parliament. Over many years I’ve heard community members complain that all major parties take our community for granted.”
Tony Briffa to stand as an Independent Candidate for Williamstown DistrictImage Supplied
‘I’ll do politics differently’
“I’m not a member of a political party,” Briffa added, “And over my years on the council this has ensured my focus remained on fearlessly representing the community over political parties or interests, and allowed me to challenge the inequities of funding for our area by successive State Governments.
“If elected, I’ll work hard for you and be accessible and accountable to our community at all times. I’ll also commit to having regular online & public meetings to determine my parliamentary vote on important issues. I’ll do politics differently.”
Briffa called on social media to make real change for our community at the November state election.
The Victorian state election is on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
