Perth Voice Interactive

“Love is love”

HIGHGATE photographer Jacqueline Jane van Grootel has photographed 18 same-sex couples to tell their stories in the lead up to the marriage equality postal survey.

Along with images of the couples, she’s compiled accounts of their lives together and what marriage equality would mean for them in her exhibition From this day forward.

Divisive debate

“The postal survey or plebiscite was bothering me a little bit; that people’s rights were going to be ‘voted on,’ or surveyed on,” Ms Grootel says.

“The [project] is basically taking a moment to let the people being debated upon to speak for themselves rather than being spoken for, as often happens in this divisive debate.”

She put a call out on Facebook and had a broad range of couples come forward, from Terry and Damian who met at work 37 years ago, to younger couple Sharna and Cinnamon who had a very Perth meeting: “We met through a mutual friend at the Flying Scotsman pub, although Sharna can’t remember that,” Cinnamon said in her account.

Former Greens MP Lynn MacLaren is one of the subjects, photographed with her partner Sarah.

“I resent the whole postal survey—it’s fundamentally flawed,” she says.

“It’s unnecessary and actually offensive to have a non-binding vote on people’s rights.”

“It makes me angry, with a partner with a terminal illness, that we are not automatically afforded the same rights and protections even though we are legally married (USA 2016) as a heterosexual married couple.”

Wilora and Elle are another same-sex couple whose dream is to get married.

“I grew up knowing that if I met my soul mate, I would get married,” Elle says.

“I didn’t realise it would be a woman.

“And I don’t think it should be any different—love is love.”

From this day forward was recently exhibited at the Old Faithful Bar & BBQ in the city, as part of a fund-raiser for the recently defunded LGBTI service, Living Proud.

The photographs are now online at http://www.fromthisdayforward.info/love

AS marriage equality surveys hit letterboxes, Perth MP John Carey is urging Yes campaigners to stay respectful.

“We need to maintain a respectful debate, despite what the opposition does,” he says.

“Do not belittle, mock, or antagonise No voters in any forum.”

The gay Labor MP says he’s stopped looking at social media because whenever there’s a news story about the survey, people start throwing virtual punches at each other.

“Clearly I support marriage equality, and personally I always thought the postal survey was a waste of money, there’s so many better things we could be spending $122 million on,” he says. “But my message is don’t belittle, mock or criticise someone’s who’s got an alternative viewpoint…it isn’t going to get anyone to change their mind.

“Just because someone’s voting No, I don’t take the position that they’re homophobic. Others may be surprised, but I don’t. There are people with traditional religious views, and I don’t take the position that they’re homophobic.”

Mr Carey says he also doesn’t accept the “unfair myth” that the No campaign has been silenced.

“Everywhere you look people are advocating both yes and no, from opinion columns to Twitter,” he says.

“I think both sides are being given ample opportunities to make their case”.

The former Vincent mayor says the best way to talk to someone is “one-on-one conversations, people talking about their personal experience and why they support marriage equality, but being respectful and courteous. Having those one-on- one conversations is critical, not having fights on social media with people who are adamantly No, or belittling or mocking the alternative viewpoint.”

If you don’t get your survey form by September 25 you can contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics and ask to get a replacement sent out (the barcode on the old one will become invalid).

by DAVID BELL

VINCENT
THERE’S been a healthy interest in becoming a councillor at Vincent, with four candidates nominating in each ward (two vacancies in each) for the local government elections on October 21.

North Ward (2 vacancies):
JOANNE FOTAKIS has been an active local and chairs the Leederville Connect Activation Committee, helping to deliver the Light Up Leederville Carnival and the Leedy Open Streets weekends in March, and the new Leederville Fringe Festival. She wants town centres that are people friendly and safe for pedestrians and kids, and wants higher quality developments and more community engagement during the development process. She says “I was brought up in the country, and my father was always involved in the community, always doing something, and I grew up watching my parents give back”. She says one of her favourite things about Vincent is “our village feel, our close community. It’s like a country town within an urban area”. She’s been endorsed by current mayor Emma Cole and says “it’s humbling to have people of that calibre, who are already there [on council] endorse you. It’s fantastic, it’s what gives you heart to go ahead”.

RYAN DAWSON says cost of living pressures impacting families is a big issue for him this election: “Local governments shouldn’t add to that stress by unnecessarily increasing fees, or charging above-market interest rates for choosing to pay your rates in instalments”. He’s previously worked for former Liberal MP Dennis Jensen, and Mr Dawson wants Vincent to stick to local government business and not go out on “activist” jaunts like launching the recent “Vincent Loves Love” campaign to support same-sex marriage, or the city’s decision earlier this year to steer their investment money away from the coal sector.  “I don’t believe it’s the role of local government to take activist stances. We’ve got pretty clear levels of government in this country. Each one of them has ascribed issues that they must deal with.”

Mr Dawson says “it’s pertinent for [councils] to look at green recycling programs, composting programs for households to take advantage of. That I see a role for, but trying to act like the pseudo-rainbow warrior of local government, it’s outside of the remit.” His grandfather Jim Leahy was a long-time Perth councillor and he says “it gave me a sense of civic duty”.

ALEX CASTLE is long term Mt Hawthorn resident, vice chair of Mt Hawthorn Hub and organiser of the street festival. As part of Mt Hawthorn Hub she’s seen how the “Town Team” model can get residents and business owners working with councils to deliver projects and street improvements. “I’ve seen first hand how together we can get things done. I want to build on this and ensure our council listens to all community concerns.” She currently sits on Vincent’s Children and Young People Advisory Group, and her key issues are improving town centres and parks and getting better facilities for the booming youth population, including the older kids who’ve outgrown the playgrounds. She’s also got the endorsement of current mayor Emma Cole.

AARON OLSZEWSKI has a masters in politics and is keen on deliberative democracy and setting up a “permanent system of citizen participation in both determining the city’s budget priorities and delivering new and innovative community projects”. He says it’ll improve local democracy, give better negotiating power with the state government and allow for a more coordinated approach to addressing big issues. He says people could vote on how to use a “small but dedicated percentage of the city’s budget” every one or two years. His hope is that this system would also increase voter participation. “It is simply not good enough that hardly one in four of us typically vote in local government elections. For as long as this low participation rate remains, local government will always be perceived as a subsidiary—as subordinate—to state government, despite having greater democratic legitimacy.”

South  Ward (2 vacancies):
MAI NGUYEN is back after a failed election bid at Vincent council’s by-election in February. She grew up in Saigon and came here as a refugee and has a background in small business, so she wants to help them and sort out the tangle of bureaucracy that can keep them back. She’s worked on community projects as part of the Vietnamese Community Association, where she helped organise the Wade Street monument of gratitude, marking the appreciation Vietnamese boat people had for WA for accepting them. It was during that work that she came across then-mayor Alannah MacTiernan, and even though Ms Nguyen’s not a member of any political party she did get Ms MacTiernan’s seal of approval at the last election.

JOSHUA O’KEEFE worked as a planner at Vincent council, and even had a stint as acting planning director. He left earlier this year to pursue his studies and he’s just a couple of weeks away from finishing his degree in primary school teaching. The affable Mr O’Keefe said he had a great time as a council staffer working on character retention areas and updating Vincent’s ageing planning policy, and if he gets elected he’d be an advocate for “vibrant town centres, a more sophisticated approach to carparking and will work with our local government neighbours to address ongoing traffic issues”.

JONATHAN HALLETT has been on council just seven months (he won the February by-election), but he’s been busy in that short time. In June he got up a successful notice of motion to look into whether there was an issue with the gender pay gap among city of Vincent staff, and he also recently proposed the council look into banning single-use plastic like cups, balloons and straws in its domain. (building on a previous motion in May by mayor Emma Cole to investigate banning single-use plastic bags, but the state government’s since stepped in and declared they’ll be banned by July next year).

JOSH TOPELBERG is hoping for a third term after a strong record as an independent on council, and was part of the lineup that led to a lot of changes from the days of Nick Catania’s rule. His family’s lived in the area for over a century now, and he’s the reason Vincent has a men’s shed and he’s brought a sensible local eye to the Development Assessment Panel, where he represents council on big planning decisions.

PERTH
IT’S a massive cast of nominees for the local government elections at Perth council—double the number at the last election—with 16 candidates vying for four spots.

STEVE HASLUCK is a long time city resident and commercial property manager, and wants to make Perth a place that’s “more liveable, safer, and easier to do business”. In a rarely seen measure he’s used part of the 150-word candidate’s statement to ask voters “to consider supporting Reece Harley” too.

TERRY MALLER promises three things: to vote on each proposal on merit with community consultation, to be a full time councillor available at council house each week day, and while he’s a long time supporter of Lisa Scaffidi he says he will be politically independent if elected. A founder and former director of affordable housing not-for-profit Foundation Housing, he says “social issues such as homelessness and begging are not receiving the support needed from the state government agencies and policing”.

DHAN SHRESTHA has a long history in civil engineering having worked around the world, including three years in the local government realm. He wants “a more accountable and transparent council that works with state and federal governments to make Perth a truly great city” and says he wants to restore “ratepayers’ faith in the council’s ability to deliver good outcomes and get on with the job of governing”.

KEITH YONG is a sitting councillor hoping for a second term. First elected in 2013, he says that as “a multicultural candidate and lawyer, I represent community diversity. Our capital city is a far better place for the diversity it offers”. Running alongside fellow Lisa Scaffidi-supporter Judy McEvoy, he says the city’s recent audit means Perth council is leading local government in compliance and now it can focus on economic development to strengthen the city.

JUDY MCEVOY is a Perth council institution having been an outspoken voice since being elected in 1997, making her the longest-serving councillor. A former publican who would later work for Julie Bishop, she’s backed lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi through recent tough times. She says “the city’s focus must be on cultural, tourism and investment attraction with strong support for business”.

XIAO LIANG is 35 years old and was born in Guangdong province in China. He has an economics degree, worked in Shanghai, and currently works as general manager at Hotel Northbridge.

JAMES LIMNIOS—currently acting mayor while Lisa Scaffidi stands down from her duties—wants periods of free parking, but hasn’t been able to get it past the Scaffidi-majority council. He’s keen on getting the CAT bus running after hours, reducing red tape and he wants a greater police and ranger presence. He’s supporting fellow candidates Xiao Liang, Lexi Barton and Natasha Tang.

DIANNE BAIN was an ABC journo who worked on AM, PM, The World Today and Lateline, presented on ABC News 24, and now runs her own marketing business. Current councillor Reece Harley gave her the informal thumbs up when she announced she was running, saying she would “make a great contribution to the city if elected”.

MICHAEL FELIX wants a more accountable and transparent council, saying “with Perth experiencing the toughest times in decades, the council needs focus on being accountable to the people it represents, businesses and the greater community of Perth”.

LEXI BARTON is a younger candidate with bachelors of Laws and of Science, and says while “there is a lot that can be done within the CBD, I also want to look at how the council can help surrounding suburbs,” as there’s been a bit of a sentiment lately that East and West Perth have gone unheard, and she backs the plan for a free parking period.

SCOTT O’KEEFFE says “I will find a resolution to Perth’s homeless and drug problem, making the streets safer”. He wants to fix Perth’s growing retail and office vacancy rate, “starting with parking incentives around the retail area of East Perth and other key places”.

YUE XIU (LYNETTE) WEN is a lawyer and notary public working in the city and is president of “All For Charity” which helps the needy and disabled. She says “my aim is to transform Perth into a vibrant and sustainable global city and to improve services for residents and businesses”.

REECE HARLEY has had an active four years on council, sometimes being the sole voice speaking in favour of protecting heritage buildings like the Michelides Tobacco Factory, which the rest of the council approved to be demolished. He’s tried to get up measures that’d slash the pricey application fees for restauranteurs wanting to set up alfresco dining but the move was stymied by the Scaffidi-friendly majority on council. He’s also used part of his candidate statement to encourage people to vote for Steve Hasluck.

MICHAEL SUTHERLAND is a former deputy mayor back for another tilt, having already riled a few people with his views on “cleaning up” the city and giving beggars and vagrants the heave ho. He was the Liberal MP for Mount Lawley for two terms.

ANTHONY OLIVIERI has worked as a primary school teacher, small business owner and now works in the health sector and says “problem solving, communication and service are my strengths”.

NATASHA TANG says she nominated because “over the past two years, I have become disheartened by the controversy and disharmony within the council. It is due to lack of proper governance…”

by DAVID BELL

The WA state croquet team has won the Interstate Shield for the first time, with five of the winning team hailing from the Forrest Park club in Mt Lawley.

Brett and Janine McHardy, Chris McWhirter, Torben Bak and Sue Anderson were part of the 10-person team that claimed the shield at the national competition in Brisbane this month.

Victoria’s held the shield for the past five years, but on September 6 the WA team clinched the title with a narrow victory, coming back from 6-3 down to win 7-6.

Ms HcHardy, who plays a doubles pair with husband Brett, says the game’s “a combination of chess and pool.”

“You’ve got the accuracy side of pool, with the concept of angles, and then you’ve got the strategy of chess in thinking whether to hit the opponent’s ball away or push your partner’s ball up, so it’s quite a tactical and strategic game,” Ms McHardy says.

“The form we play is ‘Golf Croquet’, it’s like the 2020 version of cricket. You’ve got the original form—the longer test form—then 2020 is much more aggressive and faster.”

She got into the sport while looking for a mixed game that she could play along with her husband.

And there’s a big age range on the state team, from 23-year-old Fleur Brockway, who’s just become the top ranked female player in WA, to 70-year-old Sue Anderson.

“This is one of the great things about croquet…you can go out on the court and get flogged by a 90-year-old woman!” Ms McHardy says.

They’re keen to recruit new players and they’re running an introduction course across Wednesdays in October starting at 6.30pm (phone 6210 1690 for details).

by DAVID BELL

IT’S Luke Skywalker vs Obi-Wan Kenobi at the Bayswater council elections, with newcomer Steven Ostaszewskyj taking on his old school teacher and current mayor Barry McKenna in Central Ward.

Mr Ostaszewskyj, 39, says he’s wanted to be a councillor ever since he won a certificate of commendation from the city for his piano skills in 1996.

He visited Bayswater council chambers and says “ever since that time I’ve had an interest in local government”, finally deciding to run this year after seeing his mum’s council rates shoot up again.

“The status quo is not working,” Mr Ostaszewskyj says.

“This year, the rates are not acceptable. I need to step up and find new innovative revenue sources for council.”

He says revenue could be generated by rejuvenating the industrial areas of Bayswater, giving the city a healthier rate base to draw from and preventing residential rate hikes.

“There’s quite a few empty factories and businesses in the industrial areas here in Bayswater,” Mr Ostaszewskyj says.

“I visited Detroit in the rustbelt in America, their old industrial areas have been completely revitalised with pop-ups and art spaces. Those industrial areas that are dead are now thriving hubs, and I was thinking if we can get those into central ward and other hubs of Bayswater, that increases the city’s ability to gain rates. That’s my vision—making Bayswater an artistic hub.”

With the airport link projected to bring more people into Bayswater town centre he says “why not make Bayswater a real hub for tourism and arts?”

Heritage

A draft of Bayswater’s town centre structure plan has sparked a biffo between pro-development and heritage groups in the city.

Mr Ostaszewskyj says he wants to see heritage buildings retained.

“I don’t have a problem with a six- or seven-storey development, as long as you maintain that heritage, and it absolutely must have a quality design so it fits in with the heritage character of the area and is sympathetic to its surrounds.”

Mr Ostaszewskyj works as a music teacher and previously spent a couple of years in New York, where he set up a piano school.

He says “running a business in one of the most competitive environments in the world” gives him a good insight into the needs of small businesses. He brought the school back with him when he returned to Perth.

Bayswater mayor Barry McKenna has been on council since 1991.

He says he’d like one more term and says the council could benefit from having his long-time experience on board.

Councillors Stephanie Coates, John Rifici and Alan Radford are retiring at this election, taking a lot of corporate memory with them (Cr McKenna says “Alan’s a very skilled councillor and just an unsung hero of our council,” with 16 years under his belt).

“A lot of new councillors coming on might be looking for a little more experience to assist them.”

Cr McKenna says they’re now living up to the name “The Garden City”, recently planting their 1000th tree, under the plan to expand the tree canopy, and employing full time arborist Mark Short.

“On top of that we’ve been pushing to be an open and transparent government,” he says, with measures like making the CEO’s KPIs publicly available, and recording and uploading audio of council meetings.”

Check out next week’s Voice for our comprehensive list of nominations for Bayswater and Stirling city councils.

by DAVID BELL