Respected Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton announced on January 28 that she is contesting the federal seat of Wills for the Socialist Alliance. The seat is currently held by Labor MP Peter Khalil.
As Australia is a wealthy country, Bolton said 鈥渋t is unacceptable that so many people can鈥檛 afford to rent or buy a home鈥.
If the one-in-three large corporations were taxed, Bolton said, the funds could pay for a massive public housing renovation and build program. That would 鈥渇ix the housing crisis鈥, she said.
Bolton said Labor, ostensibly the party for workers, is presiding over a growing divide between the rich and poor. She blamed corporations for causing inflation because their drive for windfall profits increases prices that cause inflation. This then deepens poverty.
鈥淔ood, utilities, education, health and all the basics of life should be available for all,鈥 Bolton said. 鈥淗owever they are being cut to pay enormous sums on the military and tax cuts for the rich.
鈥淭he AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines will cost at least $368 billion. These billions need to be used to address the climate crisis and underfunded services.鈥
Bolton has used her position over the last 15 months to work with communities to push Merri-bek Council take a stand opposing Israel鈥檚 genocide in Gaza.
She faced push-back from Labor councillors, but eventually won support for some of the most in relation to Israel鈥檚 war.
Meri-bek鈥檚 solidarity with Gaza became a benchmark for anti-war activists across the country who wanted their councils to also take a stand.
鈥淲e need politicians who will fight for human rights and justice and stand up against genocide,鈥 she said, a reference to Khahil鈥檚 refusal to take a pro-Palestine stand.
鈥淟abor says it wants peace in the Middle East, but it has refused to impose any sanctions on Israel, thereby revealing its double standards.
鈥淗ow can we trust politicians that refuse to condemn a genocide? If they won鈥檛 do that, they certainly won鈥檛 fight for us.鈥
Khalil needs to go, Bolton said, because he blocks progressive action. She said her 12 years of experience as councillor means that she has what it takes to wage a fight with the community for outcomes that they want.
鈥淲e need a radical shift to deal with inequality here, the climate disaster and end the genocide in Gaza.鈥
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