By Eleanor Wilson
A progressive candidate is hoping to paint Narre Warren North green at the State election at the end of the month.
Proud Wiradjuri and trans woman Laura McLean was recently announced as the Greens candidate for Narre Warren North – and she’s hoping to rally the support to cause an upset in the safe Labor seat.
Betting agency Sportsbet currently has the ALP’s Belinda Wilson at odds of $1.02 to take over the electorate from retiring MP Luke Donnellan.
But Ms McLean said constituents have the power to “stop the major parties taking us for granted”.
“I’ve chosen to stand in this election because I believe it’s important for our community to have an alternative to the two major parties,” she said.
A local resident, Ms McLean has a professional background in the union movement, which she says has shown her “first hand how local working families in the area are doing it tough”.
“The cost of living crisis has contributed to uncertainty and stress in the community, and it’s time for change,” she said.
“I’ve been lucky through my work that I’ve been able to hear the stories from workers who come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds.
“I know that the only effective way to be able to represent people is through listening to people and understanding their struggles.
Easing the cost of living crisis would involve building more affordable housing and ending out-of-control rent rises, Ms McLean said.
Environmental protection is another key part of her political ideology.
“The pandemic has shown us how much we’re lacking green spaces and parks in our community.
“I strongly believe that protecting our natural environment is essential for our communities mental health as well as the survival of our planet!”
She is hoping she can contribute to the Greens’ efforts to push the next government to tackle the climate change by replacing coal and gas with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Improving public transport to be more accessible and affordable is another of Ms McLean’s aims, if elected to the seat.
“We urgently need to upgrade our public transport system to make it more accessible and affordable, with many parts of the electorate lacking any public transport at all,” she said.
Ms McLean will contest the seat of Narre Warren North against ALP candidate Belinda Wilson, Liberal candidate Timothy Dragan, Liberal Democrats candidate Stephen Matulec and Independent Stephen Capon.
