Category: community
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The Status Quo is Fiscal and Social Failure. Victoria’s current “tough on crime” legislative framework compromises public safety, drives government waste, and fails the community. Decades of punitive policy mandates—most notably the “tough on bail” reforms of the 2010s—have doubled Victoria’s prison population, inflated private sector profits, and locked the state into a costly “recidivism…
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Reforming Victoria’s Public Library Funding Model Over the past five decades, public libraries have undergone a profound transformation. No longer merely quiet, book-lined repositories of information, they have evolved into technology-enabled community hubs that provide digital access, lifelong learning, cultural engagement, social connection, and essential support services. Modern libraries function as critical civic infrastructure and…
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Supporting a Just and Responsible Transition in the Latrobe Valley The Latrobe Valley communities of Traralgon, Moe, Morwell and Churchill have long powered Victoria’s economy. Today, they stand at the frontline of profound structural change driven by energy privatisation, the closure of the Hazelwood power station, and the impending shutdowns of Yallourn and Loy Yang.…
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Granting disproportionate airtime to Pauline Hanson and One Nation does not advance policy debate. Still, her recent commentary prompted me to ask a fundamental question: how would such a policy actually be implemented? Stripping away the inflammatory rhetoric and emotional reactions reveals a complex mechanism that demands a factual, detailed examination. Regardless of how extremist…
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The government’s changes to the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) place an unfair, disproportionate financial burden on regional property owners. This policy fails to guarantee that increased tax revenues will be reinvested into frontline regional emergency services. I call for an immediate overhaul of the funding mechanism to ensure transparency, regional equity, and guaranteed funding…
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I’ve written about this before, and this year it was even more stark. The Bruswick Music Festival has turned its back on the local community. Here is my email to local councillors. Brunswick Communities for Nature had another successful festival outing but the feeling that the festival had completely changed is further evidenced by the…
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The Brunswick Music Festival kicks off with the Sydney Road Street Party in March each year. However, it is getting harder for Sydney Road traders and community groups to be genuinely part of what should be a truly local event. The street party has failed if there are simply lots of outside stalls and vendors.…
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Local government has an important role to play in the performing arts. Brunswick is blessed to have a thriving local music scene. There are important things Council can do to ensure it stays healthy:
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A representative from the residents of Rolland Street reached out. See the details of their annual party and issues below. Will protecting local community events like this be important to you? I have first-hand experience with these kinds of community events from running “pop-up play” activities when my kids were little and the street events…
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Rebecca reached out via email and here are my responses to her questions about the Israel-Palestinian conflict and Harm Reduction Victoria. 1. What’s your stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Like most people, I find the ongoing violence and lack of a political solution shocking. I have watched the situation for my 50+ years and despite…
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Rodney and Linda reached out on behalf of the MRRA asking for responses to their requests. I was slow to answer this and reflected on it for a long time. If elected, will I: 2. Support the current Council’s decision to not hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 Australia Day? Yes 3. Support continuing Council’s…
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Katherine reached out to me with some questions on behalf of: https://www.instagram.com/better_breese_block/ 1. What do you see as the major opportunities and challenges in shaping more liveable apartment communities in Merri-bek City? [max 50 words] One of the biggest forthcoming challenges is the State Government planning changes which “fast track” development and takes planning out of…
Mel Yuan for Brunswick 