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This Senate candidate is giving up half his salary - and giving it back to the future

Dr Shawn Price

Dr Shawn Price pledges to redirect 50% of his pay to fund youth climate action, AI ethics, and public health innovation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - In a move that challenges business-as-usual politics, independent Senate candidate and scientist Dr Shawn Price has announced that if elected, he will redirect half of his salary to fund the future of Australia.

The funds will be donated to causes that Dr Price stands for this election, including: Australians suffering through the cost of living crisis, youth-led climate initiatives, ethical AI research, and health programs designed to prepare Australia for the next pandemic - a gesture he hopes will “raise the bar for what service in public office should look like.”

“Normal Australians are having to stretch their pay packets, cover rent spikes, crippling mortgages and make daily sacrifices. The least I can do is bring my salary more in-step with the average full-time salary while this cost of living crisis perpetuates.” said Dr Price.

“And the remaining 50% will go where it matters most - into the hands of people solving long-term problems politicians won’t touch.”

Leading by example - not slogans

Senators earn more than $220,000 a year. While most use their salary to entrench political careers or fund re-election efforts, Price is taking a different route: transparency, integrity, and future-first investment.

His salary pledge will support:

- Australians suffering through the cost of living crisis through organisations such as the Salvation Army
- Youth climate action led by organisations like AYCC and Seed Mob
- Ethical AI oversight and public tech education in universities and communities
- Public health innovation, focused on early pathogen detection and pandemic resilience

All contributions will be independently tracked and disclosed via a public dashboard.

“This is more than a gesture. It’s a promise to put values before entitlements - and futures before politics,” said Price.

A candidate for the future

Dr Shawn Price, who holds a PhD in biotechnology, is campaigning for a world-first 77th Senate seat - one dedicated not to party power, but to future generations, long-term global challenges, and ethical governance.

His six key pledges include:
- Bold, science-led climate action
- Affordable housing and energy
- Regulating AI and protecting digital rights
- Global health equity and pandemic preparedness
- A Senate seat that asks: “Is this good for the future of humanity?”
- A nation building strategy positioning Australia as a superpower for good

His candidacy is quickly gaining momentum among disillusioned voters - especially younger Australians, many of whom see traditional politics as broken and self-serving.

A new kind of leadership

“I’m not doing this for the perks. I’m doing it because I want my daughter - and yours - to grow up in a country where leadership means something again,” Price said.

“This is about fairness. About courage. About leaving the place better than we found it.”

Key Facts:

Dr Shawn Price is an educator, scientist, engineer and Army Reservist. 

He's going to redirect 50% of his senate paycheck to future related causes during this cost of living crisis. 

About us:

Dr Shawn Price's senate campaign is built on six bold pledges - from affordable housing and climate action to AI, pandemic preparedness and a 'seat for humanity' in Parliament. With a vision to transform Australia into a global leader.

Contact details:

Media availability

Dr Price is available for interviews in-studio or via Zoom.
He’s a clear, engaging speaker with a calm, evidence-based voice - ideal for current affairs, features, and values-driven storytelling.

Media contact:

Andrew Mula

0416319691

[email protected]

www.drshawnprice.com