2021-02-27
Gearing up for the state election, with particular emphasis in the social services sphere
By Hon Alison Xamon, MLC, Member for North Metropolitan Region
It has certainly been a tumultuous period for the people of Perth with lock-downs, bushfires and an increasingly fractious election campaign.
I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the people who have lost homes and property in the Hills fires. Whilst the rains that eventually came were welcome and our dedicated emergency service personnel and volunteers have been extraordinary, it is with frustration that the multiple warnings from scientists, and even our senior fire service leaders, that climate change is contributing to increased bushfire risks, is still not being heeded by governments both state and federal.
Early January was characterised by the push to pressure the Government to get residents of Fremantle’s Tent City safely into emergency accommodation. South Metro Candidate Brad Pettitt, Senate candidate Dorinda Cox and I held a community conversation in Fremantle during this time about the failure to address the homelessness crisis. It is clear the community wants to see a compassionate response from the Government - and much more funding in this space. It needs to be remembered that shelter is a fundamental human right.
Work of course continued in earnest when the 5-Day COVID lockdown was put in place on January 31, albeit with a further move back to Zoom meetings and the compulsory wearing of masks in the office. It was bitterly disappointing to discover that on the first day of the lockdown during all the distraction the Government quietly approved two new gas projects clearly hoping it would pass unnoticed.
I have been meeting with stakeholders to discuss their asks of the Government ahead of the election and the ways in which the Greens can help to achieve those. I have also been responding to multiple election surveys from a wide range of stakeholders, which are sent to all parties to gauge our policies and assist membership bodies in deciding how to cast their vote on 13 March. I’ve taken part in a number of Election forums, including for Shelter WA; the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH), Western Australian Council of State School Organisations (WACSSO) and hosted a Disability Forum with Senator Jordon Steele-John. I have also participated in forums for WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS) and Ethnic Communities Council of WA, and hosted an LGBTIQ+ forum along with our next generation of LGBTIQ candidates. I was also delighted to host, in conjunction with Free the Hounds, a campaign event to launch the Greens campaign to end greyhound racing in WA by 2025.
The issue of political donations has been running hot with, in particular, the relationship between government decision making and developers, as well as gambling interests such as Crown receiving particular attention. The Greens have long sought to bring transparency around political donations from fossil fuel industries and the decisions that government makes around climate change and fracking.
Moreover, we have had some fantastic Greens events in between lockdowns and restrictions. I’d like to thank all candidates, members and supporters who have contributed to those, and who continue to work hard to ensure we continue to have Green voices in Parliament and to hold government to account.
Header photo: Launching our 2021 State Election platform at Parliament House, on 8th February. Piper Rollins