By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong councillor Bernadette Thomas has launched her campaign as the Greens candidate for a seat in the Western Metropolitan region.
Living in the inner west of Melbourne for the past 15 years and working at Hume council for the past 12 years, including as the sustainable environment manager for about 11 years.
“As a volunteer, advocate, and councillor I’ve made a positive impact on the local community, and I’m ready to have a positive impact on the wider Western Metro region,” she said.
“I have experience working on social and environmental issues, and I’ll bring the Greens plan for real climate action, affordable housing and integrity in government to life for residents in Western Metro.”
“The west is an exciting place to live, and it would be an honour to represent these communities in parliament.”
Elected as a Maribyrnong councillor in November 2020, Cr Thomas said she was hoping to bring her experiences into a new role.
“I think I’ve done quite a good job,” she said.
“I can bring real world experience of working successfully as a local politician and achieving positive results with and for the community.
“As a councillor, I’ve worked across the political spectrum to improve lives in our community.”
Cr Thomas said the highlights of her time with council have included helping to develop council’s LGBTQIA+ strategy and action plan and reducing gambling harm within the community.
“I’ve really pushed hard to raise an advocacy voice,” she said.
“The west is a great place to live and it has a broad, diverse and active community of communities.
“Wherever you go in the west, you will meet active people in the community brining about change.
“I look forward to bringing my experience to the Parliament with a bigger Greens voice in the Upper House and will help hold the government to account.”
Cr Thomas also chairs Maribyrnong’s Active Transport, LGBTQIA+ and Arts advisory committees and is the deputy chair of LeadWest.
Details: greens.org.au/vic/person/bernadette-thomas
