In his maiden speech to Parliament, he said: “I have not come here to make a career. I have come here to make a difference. Moved by gratitude, I have not come to tear down institutions, but to nourish them. Moved by duty, I have not come to act in my interest, but the national interest. We will be tested and we will make decisions. You are entitled to know how I will find my way.

“My true north will always be family and the values of free enterprise and individual freedom … I believe in democratising prosperity and democratising power. To make sure the pursuit of happiness resides in the people.

“These are the dreams of opportunity that drive people to come here. To ache for control of their own lives. These are not values to be junked in times of emergency, whether it be a war or a pandemic. They are values to double down on when our nation is tested. 

“I want to look them in the eye and say that democratising prosperity is about you. It is about taking less of your pay as tax, feeling confident to open your own business, making firms compete for you and not rent seek with us, about the government living within its means so you can expand yours.” 

Mr Wolahan began his career as a solicitor and would later become a barrister with the Victorian bar. In addition to deployment on multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and serving in the Australian Army for 22 years, he attributes both vocations to the attitudes he will represent the Liberal Party with. 

“To the members of the Victorian bar, you are the custodians of a noble institution. For over a decade, I was one of your members and will be shaped by my many mentors … In this place, and always, I will defend the rule of law,” he said.

“We have urgent work to do. It was Robert Menzies who spoke, in the darkest days of World War II, not just of the ‘forgotten generation’ but of what every generation desires: a home of their own, ‘to which we can withdraw, in which we can be among our friends’.” 

VIEW ALL

Reflecting on how his time in the armed forces has led him to the House of Representatives, Mr Wolahan noted that the members for the Herbert, Canning, and Menzies electorates were simultaneously deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. He said he was “proud to serve” with them again.  

“And if we ever lose our map, let us stand at the main entrance. At that point we will see a road that draws a long line to names on a wall. These are the names of Australians who traded all their tomorrows, so that we may have today. 

“If you choose my party, you won’t find a box for moderates or a box for conservatives. You will find a movement that welcomes you with open arms, that can be proud of its history and learn from its mistakes. One that has a true north of principle over power, of hope over anguish,” he concluded. 

Speaking to Lawyers Weekly prior to the election, Mr Wolahan reflected on the values he took with him into his campaign. 

Throughout his experience practising in litigation matters, he described what interested him in the line of work is that “it’s the pointy end of a dispute. People come to lawyers because there’s a conflict that they have and want resolved, there’s a lot of tension and emotion. I liked the idea that lawyers helped bring people through that stressful time.”

“Our democracy and constitution doesn’t mention political parties, but they are a fundamental institution in the process. Any institution that is run well and abides by the rule of law is better served if lawyers are a part of it,” he said.

“Having watched the more effective parliamentarians on both sides of politics, people who are obviously competent and hard-working, but above all else, have a strong sense of character. When self-interest clashes with a national interest, it’s an easy choice for them, that the national interest always wins.”

After years of actively observing the changing political climate, he explained: “I’ve always looked to parliamentarians that have that moral backbone to do what’s right, especially when no one’s looking. I’d like to think I’ll be someone who does that, and I’ll be judged on my actions if I’m elected.”