Hi, I’m Marty. I’m running in this year’s council election as a candidate with Victorian Socialists because I believe that capitalism is killing the planet and it’s up to us to do something about it. In a society that puts people before profit, Banyule residents deserve better, because building a better and fairer society begins at the local level. A healthy community is the foundation for a decent life. Together, we must take action in our local communities to create a society that’s more sustainable, more equitable, and more just than the capitalist system of today.
I’m a Banyule local and have lived in the area for 14 years. I’m a recovering journalist, a writer, an artist, and a member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. I’m involved in the local arts scene and Banyule Open Studios.
In Banyule, Victorian Socialists are committed to activating the shelved community plan to rebuild Olympic Leisure Centre with new modern facilities and extra community spaces. We want to reset the Council’s development plans for Banyule to focus on sustainable and affordable housing for all residents and a commitment to retaining green space and arboreal canopy with appropriate tree species.
For too long, politicians at all levels have been in the pockets of the rich, including greedy property developers. Councillors beholden to these special interests have grown increasingly out of touch with the people they’re supposed to represent. 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 to tackle urgent issues like the housing shortage, the cost of living crisis.
Councils also have a responsibility to act locally on global issues such as climate change, gender equality, racism and genocide. I have been an activist for 50 years, involved since the 1970s in anti-nuclear campaigns and fighting racism. I am a founding member of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – a ‘78-er – and have fought for LGBTQI+ rights for four decades.
I’ve been a community and trade union activist for my entire adult life. I’ve been involved in campaigns against racism and for action on climate change. In recent times, I’ve organised 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 join with my Victorian Socialist comrades and community activists to fight for our community and for the better world that we need and deserve.