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The life of a COVID campaigner

21/8/2020

8 Comments

 
PictureThe requests for food are constant and a phone call is usually interrupted by the cries of a small child.
By Leticia Laing

THE upcoming council election in October poses unique challenges for new candidates, especially women.

This is my first foray into local government as a political candidate and, in the midst of a global pandemic, I am faced with hurdles my male counterparts are less likely to face.
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Essentially, I’m in the midst of a global crisis trying to run a council campaign and parent all at the same time, irrespective of having a supportive partner.
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I’m the primary carer for my three young children: two who are in primary school and one who is three. I care about their future; I care about the community they grow up in and that's part of why I'm running.

But I also care about their existence right now which means our daily walks are longer, the attention I need to give them is extended and remote learning is … is … hard.

Despite the incredible curriculum developed by the local school, when I ask my prep aged son to sit down and do his work it’s like I’ve asked him to watch paint dry while breaking his favourite toy.

Inevitably the house is a mess, the requests for food are constant and a phone call is usually interrupted by the cries of a small child. Throw in a Zoom meeting and I am held for ransom.

I very nearly bought them a pony so I could get 10 minutes of peace; instead I got a dog.

Undoubtedly some of my experience is similar for others working from home.

In the Bass Coast Shire women make up 51.5 per cent of the population yet only two out of the nine councillors in our current council are women.

Under current COVID restrictions, incumbent councillors will be even more favoured in the election as people tend to go for the familiar when they haven’t had chances to learn about or meet new candidates.

Door knocking and public meetings aren't allowed in Stage 3 restricted areas. It’s even harder in Stage 4 areas where they aren’t even allowed to hand deliver flyers to letterboxes. Nildhara Gadani, a council candidate for the City of Whitehorse, told me  that with two children remote learning at home she has embraced technology to keep connecting but admits she really misses talking to people face to face.

Letterboxing saves money and face-to-face engagement is the most effective way to connect. As a political candidate I have to work against the stigma of politics – ironically by talking politics.

Older generations are likely to be less tech savvy. In this Shire the median age is 50 years compared to the Victorian average of 37 years so a large cohort could potentially miss out on meeting new, arguably better options.

The Coronavirus restrictions should be kept for as long as needed to prevent the disease spreading but the restrictions have exposed and often magnified existing inequalities in our society. Council elections aren’t excepted from this inequality.

It has come as quite a surprise to me that I would be longing for door-knocking, which is effectively cold-calling in person.

Despite it all, I'm enjoying those long walks with the kids!
8 Comments
Sue Packham
22/8/2020 05:27:47 pm

What a fresh approach to 'talking politics'! You're telling me about yourself and your current life. You're pointing out the difficulties likely affecting other young families at present. I like it.
Good luck in the election Leticia!

Reply
Phyllis Papps
23/8/2020 11:30:54 am

What an excellent article Leticia. The issues you raise are so important for the forthcoming Local Govt. elections AND especially for women.

As you rightly stated, there are only two Councillors out of nine in The Bass Coast Shire who are women. A great imbalance, because there are so many women who have struggled to balance various roles in their lives and battled against so many challenges and odds against them.

Of the two women who are currently in Council: Cr Rothfield (Island Ward) is now retiring after an incredible two very successful terms of office as Councillor and Mayor. The other is Cr. Clare Le Serve (Western Port Ward) who has also been Mayor and plans to stand for a third term.

I salute both of them for their incredible achievements over the decades on behalf of our community.

Let's hope more women will stand for the LG elections this year-despite major obstacles and challenges.

Good luck with your campaign. What Ward are you planning to stand for?

Regards, Phyllis

Reply
Leticia link
23/8/2020 10:40:29 pm

Thank you so much for your positive words!

I'm running in the Bunurong ward. Feel free to get in touch if you want to have a chat.

Fingers crossed!

Reply
Frank Flynn
26/8/2020 09:53:10 am

You have my total support and I suspect the support of many, many Cape locals. It’s well overdue, to have a rep from Cape Paterson on council. Best of luck!

Reply
Jeni Jobe link
27/8/2020 09:30:38 am

Leticia you write beautifully, your article struck a chord with me because I'm also standing for council. Best of luck with your campaign, I have no doubt we will get a chance to meet.
With respect, Jeni Jobe Candidate for Island Ward

Reply
Lee-Ann
27/8/2020 02:43:13 pm

It’s nice to hear you are coming from a care for family... but what do you stand for? There needs to be very aware humans working for the people right now! That you are going through this in a ‘normal family’ way is great but how do you view what’s happening? Do you feel what’s going on right now is...right/lawful/necessary?

Reply
Catherine Watson, editor
30/8/2020 03:39:13 pm

To be fair, Lee-Ann, the brief to Leticia wasn't to write about her policies but to write about the complications of campaigning during a lockdown. Once nominations close, the Post will be questioning all council candidates about their policies and the issues that are important to them.

Reply
Leticia Laing link
30/8/2020 12:52:55 pm

Hi Lee-Ann
This piece was designed to be thought-provoking rather than pushing an agenda. I'm happy to see how the dialogue has unfolded. I encourage you to check out my Facebook page on where I stand on a number of issues: @leticia4bccouncil

Best regards
Leticia

Reply



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