2024-11-20
introducing Anasina gray-barberio
Q&A with the new Victorian Greens MLC For Northern Metro
This month the Victorian Greens MPs welcomed Anasina Gray-Barberio as the new member for Northern Metro, she takes over from Samantha Ratnam who resigned from State Parliament to run for the federal seat of Wills. She is a community advocate, campaigner and the first Samoan Pasefika woman in the Victorian Parliament. Anasina shares what it's like to be joining the team.
What drew you to being part of the Greens? What has been the best part of being in the movement?
I was drawn to the Greens unrelenting commitment to reclaim agency and representation for all those in our communities struggling and disempowered by political representatives putting their self interests before the people. I admire the way the Greens use their collective strength to build communities up. The best part of being in the movement is that I can bring my communities along and open their horizons on the importance of political engagement and how powerful their voices are in these landscapes.
How does it feel to be the first Samoan Pasefika woman in Victorian Parliament?
It is a privilege and honour to open these doors of power for my people and keep it wide open for all of those coming through after me. I have a responsibility as a daughter of the Moana (oceania) to ensure I share power with the community and to amplify their lived experiences so they feel valued and embraced. This moment does not belong to me, I share it with our Pasefika people and all those invisible by a system not designed for everyone.
What are your priorities as Northern Metro MLC?
My priorities include advancing First Nations, Racial, Climate and social justice. So many in our community are tackling unprecedented cost of living pressures, the housing crisis and living in survival mode. I would like to champion representation for all those in our community being left behind and amplify their lived experiences. I would like to continue the work of my incredible and fierce predecessor Samantha Ratnam.
What are you most excited about over the next year?
I’m excited about so many things over the next year including strengthening our networks in the community, and leading the new frontier of Greens in the north of the region and grow the movement in emerging communities and build our grassroots power. To be a disruptor and address issues often sidelined in political discourse. Of course watch our Federal candidates get up at the election.
What gives you hope? And why?
Collective power gives me a lot of hope. It goes beyond mobilising people; it's about creating a shared sense of purpose, belonging and journey together. I draw strength from the mana (power) of our community that alongside our individualism we are all connected.
There is a proverb in samoan culture that reads :
‘O lupe sa vao eseese ae ua fuifui fa’atasi’ - ‘We are from different parts of the forest but connected in one cause’