Young activist to contest Eureka

AT November’s State Election, the renamed seat of Eureka will be contested by Victorian Greens candidate Sam McColl.

Mr McColl is a young LGBTQIA+ and environmental activist, the venue and events manager of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, and is often seen at community events in his green St John Ambulance Victoria uniform, providing first aid services.

He said his campaign will focus on rental and housing reform, renewable energy, government integrity and transparency in parliament, and a fairer and more inclusive society.

“As a person who has lived in rural and regional Victoria for all my life, I have seen the impacts of climate change first-hand, and I know that the time to act is now,” he said.

“That is why I have put my hand up to run in this State election. The Greens are the only party right now being honest about the imminent closure of coal power plants.

“We are the only party outlining clear closure dates, in line with climate science, that also provides much needed certainty to workers, the community and renewable energy investors.”

Mr McColl said his rent makes up more than one third of his weekly income, and he is concerned this cost will increase in the future.

“Any rent rise may mean that I can no longer afford to live locally, and this is also the situation for many who live in the area,” he said.

“Victoria needs a housing system that puts people before profit.”

A member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Mr McColl said he will continue to advocate for fairer and more inclusive laws for people of all different backgrounds and cultures.

“There is so much more work to do to ensure our communities are more equitable,” he said.

“As a country, we have not reckoned with the truth about our history of colonisation, dispossession and frontier violence, or with the ongoing harm of entrenched disadvantage that exists for First Nations people to this day.”