Greens remind voters - "we are here"

by Aidan Knight

Greens candidate Alyssa Weaver officially launched her state election campaign for the seat of Narracan on Sunday, with an afternoon tea at Warragul Community House.

Ms Weaver, who was joined by about 30 locals and Greens volunteers, was introduced by Bass Coast councillor and Greens upper house candidate for Eastern Victoria Region Mat Morgan.

"Alyssa is not a political nerd," he said of her grassroots approach to policy and people - "she's an actual human being."

Ms Weaver kept the formalities brief, speaking on what inspired her to represent Narracan, which she continued to do since her entry to politics at the 2022 state election.

"Showing up in protest, reminding people we are here and we are angry.

"In the last election, the Liberals lost 10 per cent without Labor even running (in Narracan). It's truly a reminder that we can make a real difference," Ms Weaver said.

Not speaking to any specific policy, she made it clear her ambitions were more on levelling the field - "without billionaire corporations giving dodgy donations" - and operating as a mouthpiece for her electorate.

This was a common theme for all speakers, including former Minister for Disability Emma Davidson in the ACT Greens-Labor coalition government.
Ms Davidson provided an example of Greens representation making a tangible difference, when an unexpected motion was presented to parliament concerning the incarceration of indigenous people.

She said the proposed changes risked sending people to prison for minor offences when out on bail, drastically affecting indigenous minorities and their chances for rehabilitation.

"We don't want to have people going into prison systems on really minor offences," Ms Davidson said.

"I had a staffer from a regional area who could tell me what they were hearing from real people in the community, and I could take that into the parliamentary chamber - their words coming out of my mouth when I was on the floor," she said.
Coincidently, that staffer was Mat Morgan.

"It's possible for Greens to actually run government," Ms Davidson said. "Your words could be coming out of Alyssa's mouth on the parliament floor, that's who she is and you are who she represents".

Organisers said the next step would be a call party in Moe on Sunday, November 1, where volunteers planned to contact about 1200 potential supporters and encourage them to help staff polling booths. Attendees were invited to sign up and take part, whether by making calls or helping with campaign data.