I believe working-class people deserve to live in a society where we have access to quality education, healthcare, housing and other social supports needed to live a good life.
Hi, I’m Catherine. I’m proud to be running in the state election as a candidate for Macedon with Victorian Socialists.
I have lived in the Macedon Ranges for 20 years working as a teacher. I am an active member of the Australian Education Union and the Socialists in Schools rank-and-file organising group.
Our public education system is in crisis. We need fully funded government schools with adequate pay and conditions over and above inflation rates for teachers and education support staff. Class sizes need to be reduced including reductions in time-consuming administrative tasks for staff.
In the past I have also supported protests on climate change, racism, workers industrial rights and women’s rights.
Australia is financially controlled by a handful of the richest billionaires. Instead of sharing this with society they enrich themselves and invest further into industries such as gas and mining. This is at a great environmental cost to all citizens.
While we are facing more drought, extreme weather and bushfires in our local community, the CFA funding has been drastically slashed.
Australia’s commitment to support the US with funding AUKUS nuclear submarines has nothing to do with defence but is about turning our country into a forward operating base for US forces in any potential conflict with China. The hundreds of billions being spent on this could be better invested in things like health and education.
Our communities are suffering from the ‘profit first’ approach of government and local councils. Big business including property developers have been given the green light to run rampant in our towns which has contributed to rising living costs, rates and traffic congestion. Meanwhile, not enough is being done to maintain essential community infrastructure like roads, which are plagued by pot holes.
There is a distinct lack of public housing and affordable rental properties for those who cannot afford to purchase a home due to overpriced land. The government needs to address this by building more public housing and increasing taxes on Airbnbs and other short stay accommodation.
The cost of food, clothing and medical supplies are also out of control. The lack of affordability is leading people to depend on emergency services to provide these supports. Similarly, there is a crisis in disability support. We need a fully funded, universal and publicly run disability service instead of the market driven, for profit system that has grown under the NDIS.
I believe working-class people deserve to live in a society where we have access to quality education, healthcare, housing and other social supports needed to live a good life. In parliament, I would fight for all this and more.