Media Release 25th August 2022
A number of local citizens have had three meetings to date to discuss the formation of a Voices of The East group (VoTE) based in Bairnsdale. “Voices” groups provide a means whereby more people can have their say about what issues are important in their lives and what they as individuals can do about them. The “Voices” groups are non-party political and are not a political party. Anyone who is not already a member of any political party and who is concerned about honesty, integrity and the state of our Australia democracy within all levels of government, may join these groups.*
The “Voices for Indi” group was active in the federal seat of Indi (won by Cathy McGowan in 2013), and more recently “Voices” community independent candidates won six seats in the May 2022 election. Currently there are several “Voices” community groups supporting community independent candidates for the November Victorian state election.
Some of the agreed basic principles of Voices of The East or VoTE are integrity, honesty and transparency, trust, respect, inclusivity and equality. A spokesperson said Voices of The East plans to organise a series of kitchen table conversations (KTCs) around East Gippsland. KTCs are small friendly groups of friends, neighbours or family who want to express and prioritise what’s important and to have their say.
Interested people are warmly invited to take up this unique opportunity to join VoTE and perhaps offer to help or attend KTCs in their towns and villages around East Gippsland.
Contact Grace on gracemc1936@gmail.com
*the Climate 200 organization supported many of the successful candidates in the recent Federal election and is supporting some ‘Voices’ candidates in the approaching State election. The three essential issues that the so-called ‘teal’ candidates ran on were climate change, integrity and gender and would apply generally to all levels of politics. Blog on Voices for Monash here .