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You are on Saturday Magazine, Paul and Macca here on Saturday. That was Joball. That was keeping the commission for LGBTIQ plus A communities here in Victoria. Now Macca, would you believe it? We've got an election cycle coming up.
However, because of the actions of one politician that I won't talk about here in Victoria, there's a violation happening if you haven't already heard. Now, over the last couple of weeks, we may say I'm hibbons. I wasn't going to say Sam's name. We've had a couple of prospective candidates. We have. But we've got one more on the studio with us this morning. We do. And, you know, Pran is a seat that has been held by libraries, been held by the liberals, been held by the Greens.
There's a real possibility that an independent could win this seat preference flows are really difficult to navigate. It's been interesting. The feedback we've had about Peran has been really interesting. So we have a guest in the studio and I'd like you to introduce yourself. Tell me who you are and why are you here at Joy.
Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Paul. Good morning, David. So my name's Nathan Chisholm, and I'm here at Joy this morning because I've decided to stand as an independent candidate in the Peran by-election. Fantastic. On February the 8th. For people who, some people in the community will know that I'm currently principal of Peran High School.
right in the middle of the electorate. Oh, wow. Yeah, and it's a school we've built for our community newly built. Yeah, newly built. That's right. It's six years ago. It didn't exist. And so now it's there. And it's a big, it's a, it's a real hub of our community. And it's sort of from using that experience of, of Peran and living in the area as well. And it's thinking that we can do a bit better. Is it running a school?
frustrating or challenging enough without wanting to pay a member of parliament. Knowing members of parliament, it's a pretty difficult role. It is. It doesn't mean you don't do it. No, it doesn't mean you don't do it. It's a serious business and we need serious candidates who are prepared to step up and have a go. But yeah, you're right. Being a school principal is complex, it's challenging, it's a joy as well. I love it.
And it's a tough thing to step away from, but I also know that from a community leading point of view, there's more I think that we can do in Peran to improve the whole Peran community. And my school community, when I've made this announcement have been so supportive and it's been one of the most beautiful things is having parents of young people at the school and young people at school who are saying, you know,
We know what you believe, but good on you, you know, and we're on board. So two quick questions for you, Nathan. Number one, why are you standing? Yeah. And then number two, how are you going to make the lies better for, um, pran, how, what do you say pransy in them? Did you know he's one, he's one of us. He's one of your sectors. Yeah. Yeah.
Are we spoken to a few candidates already? Yeah, I'm sure. So, and I want to thank you for giving me the time too. So while I'm running, look, it's not a spare of no moment decision. It's been something that's been bubbling for a while and for me. And I live in Pran and have lived in Pran for a long time. And I feel and believe, as I think some other people in our electorate do, that Pran has been underrepresented.
or not represented strongly in the last kind of six to eight years, and I think we can do better. I think the fact that even Labor are not running in the electorate, there's this sense of
in some ways that the majors are perhaps not paying enough attention to us in Peran and I think we need a longer, a louder, stronger, prouder voice to advocate for what people of Peran need and I think I can do that and to go back to your point, Mac, it is a serious business and we need to have people who
who can work with government, who can work with local council, who can work with community organisations to affect change. I think I've been able to do that over the last six to seven years in Peran. It's a tough decision, but I know my motivation is right to use the skills of built at Peran High School to now really make the community better and stronger.
What am I going to do? You know, I think it's that's the important question. Yeah, it's of course it is. And I mean, no candidate in this election is going to change the government. So that's one thing that we need to be clear about. So and I will always be honest about what what we can do and certainly in this first eight of months. But but the first thing we need to do is listen to people in the community and advocate for them. And that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. I think there's for me, my drivers are around community and the strengths in our community. And
There's people are talking about cost of living pressures as well. I think we need to acknowledge that that's effective for all of us. Again, no one candidate in this election is going to be able to affect major change there, but we have to advocate for what people need. And that's about properly funding services and a range of things like that that are impact on people's well-being, but also on cost of living. So there's some things we need to do around that.
a social almost tipping point, and there's a sense in the community that people are concerned about social cohesion, about some sort of some level of anti-serp, what people would, I guess, describe me as anti-social behavior on the streets. And it's tricky to talk about, but it's a reality for people who live in our electorate.
And I can't say I have a perfect answer to this, but I think as a community we need to have the will, the compassion, the understanding to say we do have a challenge and together we need to work on it. But no one can say they have the answer to it. But we definitely need to do some work together to improve that I think. We must have the biggest contingent of queer folk in any electoral ward in Victoria.
Well, I think, I don't know the data. Oh, I can city of Yara. Yara? If you went, you know, Yara, Melbourne, Peran, not McNamara. City of Port Phillip Park. Yeah, Port Phillip Park. Yeah, Port Phillip. Yeah. Yeah, Port Phillip Park. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
You know, a very, very significant portion of that community, you know, is queer. Yeah. And, you know, I encourage, you know, fellow members of my community to actually all I ever say to people, I'm never going to tell you how to vote. What I am going to say to you is you need to think about it, right? And you need to use your vote to elect people that are going to represent you and represent the interests that are important to you personally, but also to our community. Because if you don't, you'll end up with unsatisfactory outcomes.
Yeah, I agree entirely. And I hope that people see in perrancy that that is me and think that that is me. But the most important thing in a democracy is that we need people to think about it and understand that their vote is powerful and a beautiful experience I've had in the last week or two is talking to
to talking to 18 and 19-year-olds. They're first vote. Yeah, they're first vote. And for me, one of the most heartwarming things is to have young people, whose lives I've been a part of, but saying, we've thought about it, we want to vote for you because we think you're going to do a good job for us. And that's so powerful. And for a 19-year-old to think, you know, whether it's because I'm gay, whether it's because they know me as a principal, whether they've read the website, whatever it is, but to say, these are important factors for us. And we've decided to vote for you.
Um, being an independent, it's tough. You don't have all the infrastructure of those major parties. Um, as anyone come and tap you on the shoulder to talk about preferences. Yeah. Yeah. We've had, um, so the preferences has been, has been complex. Um, and yeah, when you see, you know, as an independent, um, you, as someone said, when you get to see how the sausage is made. Um, so preference has been, yeah, unfortunately, you know, part of that is sometimes visiting the abattoir.
Yeah, indeed. So, and sometimes you might not like, as someone said, you don't like the sausage, but we can stretch the metaphor. But yeah, no, we've talked about preferences. And, you know, for me, it's been actually a really complex decision and something that I've thought in the end of preference card is a suggestion, is a guide, you know, voters don't have to follow that.
I've decided to leave that in the hands of voters, and I feel if I'm truly representing our community in Peran, and I've grappled with this, but as much as I want to support other independents,
There's a piece around everyone's positions are so different and certainly from the Greens to the Libs to the other independents to family first, for example, that there's some obvious things for me that would be... Oh, a family first round. I thought they disappeared down the toilet. No, they are running.
But I've decided to keep the how to vote card. I mean, I've been lucky that I've drawn first place on the ballot, which is good. And I want people who vote for me to vote for me. And then for them to understand that their preferences are theirs. They've got to fill in every square. And anyone who's more experienced than me at this have said, the risk is that people don't fill in. If you don't, exactly. If you don't fill in every square, you vote not counted. Sorry, Paul. Yeah.
No, we're running out of time. You've got one minute, so I'm going to say, now is your pitch. You've got the airway for the next 60 seconds, Nathan. How people, why they should be voting for you? Yeah, I think people should vote for me because I am a proven community leader. My commitment to the community is absolutely clear. I can get things done. And I know how to represent people, to government at all levels, to affect change.
As a proud member of the LGBTIQA plus community, that's relevant for the Paran people, but it's about diversity. And for one of the things is my school, people talk about that we've built an inclusive diverse school where everyone is able to be their best. That's what I want for the Paran community. And I'm not sure we're there yet. And I think I can help people make that better. Great. Thank you for making the time to come in. Good luck. We wish all the candidates well.
Indeed. Likewise. I'll be watching closely. Think about your vote. And, you know, one of our listeners would love there to be another entry point to Windsor station, but I'm sure that's been, comes up all the time. Thanks for coming in. Good luck. We'll see how it pans out and participating in a democracy is really important. So remember the odds are places around the world where people don't get that chance.
And there's no harm in trying and putting yourself. Exactly. Let's give it a go. And you think you've got a strong message and hopefully people respond. Cheers. Cheers. Thanks, Nathan. You are on Saturday magazine. Join I4.9 with Macaron Paul. Stay with us, even if you're from family first.
Thanks for listening to another Joy podcast brought to you by Australia's LGBTQIA Plus Community Media Organisation. Joy, help keep joy on air. Head to joy.org.au. Joy, a diverse sound for a diverse community.