Deputy Mayor of Manningham City Council, Tomas Lightbody, has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens’ candidate for the seat of Warrandyte in the upcoming by-election.
As a young person, Lightbody is keenly aware of the impacts of climate change and the need to phase out fossil fuels like coal and gas.
He has also seen how the current housing crisis has left countless Victorians forced to choose between food and rent, as renters across the state grapple with mounting rent rises.
If elected, Lightbody would fight to stop new fossil fuel projects like the disastrous ‘coal-to-hydrogen’ project currently being considered by Labor, and push for solutions to the housing crisis including a big build of public and affordable housing, and rent controls.
Having grown up in Donvale, Lightbody understands how important it is to protect our precious environment, and support those doing it tough amidst the rising cost-of-living.
He said he was inspired to put his hand up for Council in 2020 so that he could be a voice for the young, diverse, and queer communities in his electorate.
And now, he’s ready to be that voice in the Victorian Parliament.
During his time on Council, Lightbody secured a local community net-zero target of 2035, increased funding for tree planting, and greater protection for trees on public lands. He has also fought tirelessly for better public transport, including increased bus links between local activity centres, given there are currently no buses between areas like Wonga Park and Park Orchards, and Warrandyte.
In the Victorian Parliament, Lightbody plans to fight for proper funding for maintenance and bushfire mitigation efforts in the Warrandyte state forests, and increasing the safety of infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
In the Victorian State Election last year the Greens experienced their strongest election results ever, with voters electing Aiv Puglielli as their Upper House MLC for the North-Eastern Metropolitan region, which takes in the seat of Warrandyte.
As stated by Victorian Greens candidate for Warrandyte, Tomas Lightbody:
“Having grown up a Donvale local, I understand the preciousness of our local communities and environments in this seat, and feel the urgency with which we need to protect them.
“Support for the Victorian Liberals is currently in freefall, and with Labor potentially not even standing a candidate at all, this by-election will be incredibly unpredictable.
“If elected I’ll push the Victorian Labor Government to go further and faster on climate change and housing affordability, so that we can protect our precious environment and look after people doing it tough.
“Every vote for the Greens this by-election sends a message that people want progressive action, and that Labor and the Liberals can’t keep going with business as usual and just expect to keep their seats.”
