Here is the text of our latest election leaflet, contact us if you can help letterbox.



On November 29 elect campaigning Councillors for your community



Stephen Jolly, Langridge Ward

Denise Dudley, Melba Ward

Anthony Main, Nicholls Ward



Stephen Jolly, 46, lives in Clifton Hill and works in the construction industry. He has been the hardest working Councillor in Yarra since 2004 and a community campaigner in the area since the early 1990s.



Denise Dudley, 31, lives in Richmond and works as a nurse. She has been active in many community campaigns including leading the Community Campaign for Heroin Reform (CCHR).



Anthony Main, 32, lives in Carlton North and is the Secretary of the fast food and retail workers’ union, UNITE. He is also a founding member of the Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel (YCAT).



Responsive. Active. Effective.



Unfortunately the record of Yarra Council is one of high rates, ridiculous charges such as permits for training in our parks, scrapping services like our six-monthly hard rubbish collection, and the continued privatisation of street cleaning.



Stephen Jolly from the Socialist Party has been the only councillor to oppose these policies pushed through by the ALP, Greens and Independents.

The changing economic situation is a real threat for the communities of Yarra – especially those on lower incomes.



It is now vital that we elect campaigning Councillors for our communities and get organised so that together we can fight to protect and improve this area.

The following are some of the policies the Socialist Party will pursue if elected.



Resident friendly planning



Yarra’s Planning Department too often treats major developers with kid gloves, yet puts residents wanting a minor renovation through the wringer.

We say put the needs of people and the community at the heart of planning.

This would mean restructuring the Planning Department so that it is faster, more resident friendly, and less bureaucratic.



We must insist that the necessary social and public services are provided before any new developments are completed. This way will will create living communities not soulless matchboxes like the Docklands.



Bring back hard rubbish



Last month the Green and ALP Councillors voted against returning the regular hard rubbish collection – only SP Councillor Stephen Jolly voted in favour.



To stop dumping in local areas and to stop the need for ratepayers to pay for private operators, we will organise a campaign for the return the six-monthly hard rubbish collection. We will also keep the current personalised service.



Improve children’s services



We demand emergency action by the council to ensure that the 1000 children currently on waiting lists for childcare and kindergardens are catered for.

Council must give a commitment to invest in new facilities to boost the number of places so that all children have a place. This is a vital social investment.



No to excessive rate rises



Rates in Yarra were already very high but the ALP and Greens have voted for annual rate rises equal to inflation plus 2.5%. With questionable revaluations these rises have often been higher.



Stephen Jolly has been the only Councillor to vote against these rises.

Yarra Council must not use the people of Yarra as cash cows, particularly now when living standards are already being undermined.



Support public housing



We will campaign for the council to redirect its youth workers onto the estates and to properly fund residents associations. This will give the associations much more autonomy. Healthy, safe public housing estates are good for all Yarra residents.



Real action on the environment



While the ALP and Greens do a lot of talking, the Socialist Party drove through the introduction of Green Waste and a Zero Emissions Policy.

More needs to be done, such as making builders adhere to the highest environmentally-friendly standards.



No to the east-west tunnel



The Socialist Party helped establish the Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel (YCAT). We are opposed to spending more than $9 billion on a tunnel when public transport is lacking in many areas of Melbourne.



More sports facilities



We will propose and fight for an indoor sports centre in Yarra as well as investment in artificial fields to allow sport to continue in a time of drought.



The Socialist Party says:



Put the needs of ordinary people at the heart of Yarra Council policy.



No to cut backs as a result of economic crisis. Use resources for council and public investment in much needed public services and jobs.



Vote 1 for the Socialist Party candidates so we can fight to transform Yarra Council and begin to provide a real socialist alternative throughout Melbourne.



As none of the main parties, particularly Labor, can claim to represent the interests of the majority of people, it is time to establish a new workers party to represent ordinary people. Electing campaigning Councillors to the Yarra Council on November 29 will be a step in the right direction.



Want to help with our election campaign?



We need help door knocking, letter boxing, staffing the pre polling booths and on election day (November 29). We also need to raise money to pay for the campaign. If you can help in any way please contact the SP National Office on 9639 9111.



Want to contact our candidates?



Phone Stephen Jolly on 0433113421

Phone Denise Dudley on 0411352175

Phone Anthony Main on 0417368215



You can email them via the SP National Office info@socialistpartyaustralia.org



Also please visit the SP Yarra Council website at www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/council



Want to join or get more info about the Socialist Party?



Phone: 03 9639 9111

Email: info@socialistpartyaustralia.org

Web: www.socialistpartyaustralia.org

Post: PO BOX 1015 Collingwood Victoria 3066

Visit: Trades Hall, Level 1, 54 Victoria Street Carlton South



Authorised by Antony Alder, 54 Victoria St, Carlton South

Printed by Arena Publishing, 2 Kerr St, Fitzroy on

100% post-consumer recycled paper