They have both put their hands to run as Greens candidates for Kiama and South Coast, respectively at the state election next year.

Bomaderry resident Nina Digiglio is standing for the seat of Kiama and East Nowra resident Kim Stephenson has nominated for the seat of South Coast.

They believe they are a clear alternative to the major party candidates.

Ms Stephenson is passionate about “restoring democratic processes to state politics” and understands the struggles business owners face in the region.

“Twenty-seven per cent of South Coast residents live below the poverty line, we have a 20th century rail service, our natural environment and climate change action is at constant risk from an anti-environment Liberal government,” she said. “There needs to be a lot of work done in the South Coast.”

“The Greens have the people-powered policies to ensure the South Coast progresses to a healthy, vibrant and equitable future for us all.” 

The candidates will officially kick off their campaign on December 17 at Nowra Showground.

Ms Digiglo is also a Parkinson’s disease nurse providing care to patients and families in the Kiama and South Coast area.

She wants to create “a future where all Australians have an opportunity to thrive”.

“Economic inequality in Australia is growing by the year,” she said. “We pride ourselves on being the country of the ‘fair go’. But increasingly, our society is not as fair for some as it is for others.”

Ms Digiglio believes everyone should have the same opportunity provided to her as a young ethnic girl from a low socio-economic family.

“I was fortunate to receive free university education and believe every young person deserves the same opportunity today,” she said. “Whether it be TAFE, apprenticeships or any education providing a recognised qualification.”

Further north, the Illawarra Greens have already named their state and federal candidates. 

They are Kaye Osborn for the state seat of Keira, Rowan Huxtable for the federal seat of Cunningham, Benjamin Arcioni for the state seat of Wollongong, Mitchell Shakespeare for the state seat of Heathcote and Jamie Dixon for the state seat of Shellharbour, and the federal seat of Whitlam.

The state election will be held in March 2019.