Candidates for Lutruwita Socialist Alliance (LSA) are running in three local government areas in the Lutruwita/Tasmania council elections over September to October.
Snowgum Ries is running in the Huon Valley, Matt Haubrick in Glenorchy and Sam Campbell in Hobart.
They have decided on five “core planks”, three of which they share — affordable housing, more public transport and democracy — and two community-specific planks, formulated from conversations with their communities.
While the electoral system frames all candidates as individuals rather than parties, Campbell told Green Left: “Everyone knows who belongs to what because branding, or at least colour schemes, make it pretty clear.
Campbell said his campaign is focused on making Hobart a “people-focused CBD”, including with fair rates. “It’s about prioritising human connection. This can, in part, be achieved by increasing walkability, expanding free third spaces and cultivating social spontaneity.
“I’m campaigning for streets to be recuperated from cars for the people. We could then re-green them with local native plants, while adding accessible seating, more shade and spaces for pop-up culture, like youth art, social enterprise stalls and community theatre. This is already being done multiple times a year already, so let’s just make it permanent.”
Campbell said a fairer rate system would be based on the use of, and relationship to, the local community. “For example, a residential super-landlord with multiple Short Stay Accommodations (SSAs are like Airbnbs) should pay more, not only for operating grey-hotels, but to compensate for the social costs to the surrounding community.
“Another example could be a commercial premises that lies empty for 90 or more sequential days; the landlord should pay more for not lowering rents or allowing its use for a social benefit, such as a free pop-up art space.
“Pensioners, who may own their homes, but are still struggling with the cost of living should also only have to pay lower rates. Those who can pay more, such as self-funded retirees and those with financial trusts, should pay more.”
Campbell is keen on council promoting “more mixed-use passive-haus developments”, where “a percentage must be guaranteed public homes. With differential rates, it would go a significant way towards improving affordability locally.
“Questions over planning, insurance, licenses and the cost of materials are not insurmountable. For example, council could give automatic approval for developments that meet, or exceed, pre-defined criteria, such as the use of materials like hempcrete, or structures of mass-timber like dowel-laminated (reclaimed, ethical) timber.”
Lester Ries, known as “Snowgum”, has lived and worked in the Huon Valley for their entire life. “That means I’ve seen the harsh conditions that people face and I’ve seen the optimistic grit that comes from it,” they told GL.
“People in the Huon Valley are being hit with housing unaffordability, a lack of infrastructure and healthcare facilities and severe food insecurity. This leads to a dwindling sense of community, which disproportionately affects young people and minority groups.
“Capitalism puts profits ahead of people’s needs and is the root cause of these crises.
“LSA supports setting up ‘People’s voice councils’, where decisions would then inform council policy and community land trusts, which would allow more people access to land.
“We also support a large-scale, non-commercial food security network, which could reliably supply people with the essentials.
“We are also campaigning for greater council transparency and accountability, including by council publishing its accounts and minutes and recording meetings.”
Snowgum, who is 19 years old, said young people are “disproportionately affected by cuts to services and the lack of affordable housing”. While many are sceptical about young councillors, they said young people who are passionate about listening to everyday people’s voices would make the best representatives.
“Councils are supposed to be where people’s voices are heard,” Snowgum said. “Becoming a councillor is also a good way to build support for socialist ideas and solutions to improve people’s everyday lives.”
Haubrick told GL he is campaigning to make the Glenorchy Pool community owned and operated. Given the housing shortages, he said empty homes need to be filled and public transport needs to be improved with better lighting and accessibility.
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