Greens name Ripon candidate

THE Greens’ candidate contesting the seat of Ripon at November’s State election has been announced.

Clunes resident Earl James has been preselected as the party’s representative for the electorate that includes Miners Rest, Lucas, Alfredton, Smythesdale and Linton as well as places like Ararat, Stawell and St Arnaud.

As a union organiser and former economics teacher, Mr James said he has three major concerns for the region.

“The cost-of-living crisis is a crucial one. Voters tell me they’re being crushed by it. There are things that can be done at the State level that can be done to help alleviate that,” he said.

“Transport is a big cost pressure for families. If we had better public transport where families would then be able to drop down to one car, that’d be massive for their saving.

“I lived in Amsterdam when teaching. Seven days a week there were trains every half-hour, so I’ve seen what the possibilities could look like for us in terms of alternatives.

“Housing is another issue in Ripon particularly. The Greens have a plan to build more public housing which I think will alleviate some cost pressures.”

Mr James worked as an economics teacher for about two decades before joining the Independent Education Union as an organiser in 2020.

“During my time as a teacher I saw them being more put upon, and saw an opportunity to do something about that with the union,” he said.

“Their workload is particularly at an unsustainable level which is why we see so many of them leaving. Education is certainly one of my passions as well.”

Mr James unsuccessfully ran for council for the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne the same year as his career shift.

He said his experience and areas of knowledge makes him an ideal candidate for the Greens.

“With my background in teaching economics I think one of the things I bring to the Greens is a very sound understanding of the economy and how it works,” he said.

“That’s a really important message. People need to grasp that the Greens have sound, costed policies that are responsible economically and will make a big difference in Victoria.”