Hi, I’m Belle. I’m running in this year’s council election as a candidate with Victorian Socialists because I believe in a society that’s more sustainable, more equitable and just than the capitalist system of today.
I’m a Yarra local. I work at a local public school and am a member of the Australian Education Union.
Politicians at all levels of government are in the pockets of the rich, and have grown increasingly out of touch with the people they’re supposed to represent. In a wealthy society like Australia, everyone should have the chance to live a decent life. Today, the people at the top are seeing their wealth grow rapidly, while many at the bottom are being left behind. Councils have a responsibility to help turn this situation around, and tackle urgent issues like the housing shortage and cost of living crisis.
I’ve been involved in campaigns against racism and for action on climate change. For many years I was an activist in the marriage equality campaign before its victory in 2017. This taught me that progress is only made by ordinary people taking a stand. We don’t win equality by asking nicely. We win by mobilising unionists, students and ordinary people in our tens of thousands and fighting for it.
In recent times, I’ve campaigned in solidarity with the people of Palestine and against Israel’s war in Gaza. I believe councils should be a place where questions of social justice are raised and acted on.
If elected in October, I’ll stand up to developers and fight for ordinary people to have a say in the decisions that shape our community.