Bell enters the ring for Reason Party

REASON Party candidate Michael Bell will launch his campaign for election to the Victorian Parliament at bookgrove in Ocean Grove next week.

A long-term resident of Ocean Grove, Mr Bell is running for election with the aim of achieving more progressive, evidence based decision-making in state parliament.

He attended Belmont High then continued his studies at Melbourne University, where he graduated in architecture.

After 15 years living and working in Melbourne and Sydney, he returned to the region in 2010 and established an architecture business in Ocean Grove where he lives with his wife Tamara and three children.

Mr Bell is also involved in the film and television industry having worked as a set designer and art director for a number of well-known productions, including Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge and Australia, as well as Steven Spielberg’s The Pacific.

Always politically engaged, Mr Bell is now standing as the Reason Party candidate for the Upper House in the Western Region of Victoria.

Fiona Patten is a former sex worker and the founder and leader of Reason (formerly The Australian Sex Party) and an Upper House MP for the Northern Metropolitan region.

Fiona will be in conversation about her book Sex, Drugs and The Electoral Roll with Amy Mullins, Ocean Grove local and 3RRR broadcaster of “Uncommon Sense”, and Mr Bell.

“My goal is to join Fiona Patten in the Upper House and make real positive change in our community and help restore faith in a political system that many recognise is letting us down,” Mr Bell said.

“Fiona has held a seat in the Upper House since 2014 and has from the outset been a much needed progressive voice of reason.

“I’ve been impressed by her collaborative style, commitment to evidence-based policy and her role in getting practical results on issues such as voluntary assisted dying and safe injecting rooms.”

Mr Bell said he was not a lawyer, union rep or political staffer.

“I’m an architect with a passion for sustainable and healthy communities and a desire to expand our political possibilities.”

Fiona will talk about her new book and introduce Michael at the free event at bookgrove on October 12 at 6pm.

To RSVP your place, phone bookgrove on 5255 5973 or email [email protected].