Alma Ward

How to Vote Card

Candidate Assessment Responses

Progressive Port Phillip is a public campaign for stronger local democracy and a fairer, safer and more sustainable community. Many residents have asked us to provide guidance on candidates.

Over recent weeks all candidates standing in the October 2024 Port Phillip Council election were surveyed.

The first part of the Progressive Port Phillip assessment asked candidates to affirm a broad and principled Progressive Port Phillip policy framework.

Additionally, we asked 3 questions:

  • What are your key priorities in the policy framework and why?
  • What would you do to advance these priorities?
  • What’s the most important attribute you bring that will enable Council to achieve this policy framework?

We also sought information from other sources including VEC statements, election material, TWiSK, candidate websites, affiliations and statements made on Council matters.

The outcome gives us hope that if elected, a number of candidates will support the whole Port Phillip community, work with the community to address climate change threats to homes and businesses, support more social housing and vulnerable renters, keep services in public hands and plan for our young people’s future.

And it indicates that the next Council could work to strengthen our local democracy so that all the people of the community are heard and respected.

If candidates did not affirm the policy framework it indicated that the strength of their commitment to a fairer, safer sustainable community was below expectations.

Advocacy for a rate freeze inevitably means cutting services. We recommend that voters should preference against candidates who have advocated such policies. Our council needs sound financial stewardship, not political stunts. [Read more here]

Below you can see the responses of all the candidates who responded.

My key priorities are tackling climate change, increasing affordable housing, supporting thriving shopping centres, increasing tree canopy, increasing participation in our democratic processes, and promoting good urban planning.

My key priorities are ensuring that our community, whether they are renters, home-owners or homeless, have continued if not increased access to essential civic and community services, especially for the elderly, disabled, parents and children. We need to focus on supporting sustainable economic decisions regarding local jobs and community growth. We must prioritise the betterment of the standard of living for our first nations folk, and those living in social housing.

Recognise and support the 50% of Port Phillip residents who are renters. This number is even higher in Alma Ward and renters are often excluded from consideration from council yet are the ones who are hit with rent rises and forced relocation and lack of security. Maintain and improve Council services for older residents, people with disability, parents and children, including affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care, and vibrant libraries. This is what makes local councils so important to improving the lives of residents compared to other levels of government and is so critical it is expanded to help as many as possible. Council plays an important role in tackling climate change and restoring Australia’s unique biodiversity and creating greener, safer, cleaner streets. That’s why I would promote urban planning that prioritises both positive environmental impacts and pedestrian focused streetscape amenity including networks of parks, social gathering spaces, safe footpaths and active transport paths.