20 questions with Seamus Lee

2017-04-06

Emma Davidson

Seamus, who is 25 years old, is the Greens NSW Online Systems Coordinator.

1. What do you remember about your first election?

My first election was the Bradfield by-election in 2009. I remember handing out leaflets in Pymble and going door knocking in the Bradfield electorate. 

2. Endangered Australian animal who has captured your heart?

Hmm, probably the koala.

3. What's your precious place and why?

I think for me my precious place is probably my home because it's the place where I feel most secure and it's the place that gives me the most comfort.

4. Favourite Greens policy?

I think our democracy one as we put people at the heart and reducing the influence of donations is a major issue.

5. Best part of your work with the Greens?

All the great people in our local groups and all over Australia.

6. What keeps you going?

I think what keeps me going the most is that I'm working for a good cause and that there will always be something new in the job every day.

7. Favourite political song?

I think its a toss up for me between Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity" and "Beds are Burning" by Midnight Oil.

8. Who inspires you? Why?

I would say my parents and siblings are probably my best inspiration. Seeing what they have managed to accomplish, and what they have done in their life, just makes me want to make the most out of mine.

9. Comfort food?

I love a good burger or pizza.

10. What would you spend $20 billion on?

Mmm, I would build a proper NBN network.

11. Secret vice?

Probably jelly snake lollies.

12. Best coffee/drink in town?

I like a nice chocolate milkshake from a cafe near me called Canteen.

13. Apps you can't live without?

Firstly Twitter, then probably Slack.

14. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I think I probably wanted to work for security services, having been into the James Bond movies. But as I went through high school, I ended up just wanting to do something around politics.

15. Morning run or night time swim?

If I had to choose, probably a morning run. But I don't really get out and exercise that much.

16. What's your greatest hope for the future?

That as a party we can handle our differences better and have good long policy discussions about where we want to head as a community.

17. Magic wand to solve one world problem — what would it be?

I would probably say inequality. This is because fundamentally, inequality is what strikes at the heart of a number of other world issues. If we can get people out of poverty and reduce the inequality in this world, it would be much better.

18. What advice would you give a new volunteer?

Just do what you can achieve. Don't take on too big a task or it will feel like you'll never get anywhere.

19. You can travel through time — where do you go?

I would probably go back to Dallas, Texas, USA in 1963.

20. If you weren't doing this for a living, what would you be doing?

Probably wanting to work in an NGO or similar doing policy research type work.