Rowdy Bugter

Hi I’m Rowdy. I’m running as the Victorian Socialists candidate for Oakleigh in this year’s state election because I believe working-class people deserve a just and equitable life in the world that they make run. I’m a renter in Murrumbeena working as a chippie in commercial construction, and I’m an active rank-and-file member of the CFMEU.

I’ve seen first-hand the effects of the ruling class’s attacks on unions and their members. How, for example, safety standards are being crushed by bosses and developers in the name of deadlines and profits - causing more injuries, deaths and suicides within my industry. And how rank-and-file union members across Victoria are constantly having to fight against the erosion of wages and conditions - with pay rises that don’t keep up with the cost of living.

I’m running because I want to see people in parliament fighting for our rights, instead of stripping them away and making the lives of working-class Australians harder while developers, banks and billionaire bosses make windfall profits.

I want to fight against the billionaire-owned media that divides the working class by pushing racism, homophobia and transphobia as “common sense” ideas. I believe we need to build solidarity between workers of all backgrounds and identities.

I’ve been organising socialist activity for the first time in our area for over a year, and I’ve been a part of organising rank-and-file socialist union members across the construction industry. I’ve been involved in campaigns against racism, I’ve marched through the streets in solidarity with the people of Palestine, and I’ve taken part in calls for action on climate change for almost a decade now.

If I’m elected in November, I’ll fight for the rights and wages of all workers in Australia and against the toxic ‘divide and rule’ politics of racism and division sown by the ruling class and the corporate media.