Cr Sam Gaylard

• Member since 1996
• Greens Councillor, Nichols Ward, City of Yarra (2008-current)
• Convenor, Yarra Branch Councillor Support Group (2007-2008)
• Electorate Officer for Greg Barber MLC (2007-2009)
• Member, Local Government Working Group, Transport and Planning Working Party (2007-2008)
• Greens Local Government Representation Reviews Project Officer (2007)
• Polling Booth Captain, Scrutineer and North Fitzroy Doorknocking Coordinator for numerous elections

I have known Kathleen since 1992 when she advocated in the Philippines for the rights of women in the sex industry. Kathleen is a feminist who empathises with the downtrodden and demonstrates her commitment to social justice.

She is a skilled and experienced candidate, an inspiring speaker at large public meetings and, at smaller community-based meetings, she is informative and respectful of others’ opinions. As a Yarra Councillor, Kathleen was a respected politician who maintained her integrity and relationships in the rough and tumble of Council politics. Her ability to articulate the Greens big picture perspective resulted in Council’s uptake of Greens issues. Kathleen understands the importance of financial literacy to advance policy; she initiated Council’s Adaptive Assets policy which enables funding for renewable energy projects with payback timelines. She will be an intelligent, formidable debater in the Senate.

Kathleen impresses as a political strategist who strives for democratic outcomes and treats party accountability seriously. She has a significant profile in the community sector, and her expertise in social welfare issues would provide a narrative at the national level crucial to expanding voters’ perceptions of the Greens as a credible mainstream party. She’d be a great parliamentarian.

Lucie Burns-Warr

• Member since 2010
• Volunteer Coordinator, Seat of Melbourne, Federal election (2010)
• Regional Campaign Consultant and Volunteer Coordinator, Seats of Richmond and Melbourne (2010) 

I met Kathleen in 2010 during the campaigns for the federal seat of Melbourne, and the state seat of Richmond. I got to know Kathleen very well that year, and know she has what it takes to be a great Senator.

What I admired most was her vision.

Kathleen was committed to strengthening the Greens’ supporter-base for the long-term, rather than just engaging people for the election campaigns. She ensured that the party was accessible for a wide range of voters, and that volunteers were given meaningful roles. Under her instruction, Kathleen’s campaign for Richmond employed a devolved model in which volunteers took ownership of and managed different aspects of the campaign. The result was the involvement of unprecedented numbers of volunteers who felt that they were part of a movement, not just a three-month race. If elected, I know Kathleen would continue to build the party through important grassroots campaigning.

Kathleen’s stirring speeches during 2010 demonstrated her strong communication skills and ability to make complex policy comprehensible. With her political experience and years of work in the community sector, Kathleen would be invaluable to the Greens Senate team, and I am delighted to nominate her for this position.

John Cox

• Campaign Manager, Richmond Campaign (2010)
• Member since 2007

I am proud to nominate Kathleen Maltzahn for Senate pre-selection. Kathleen is an inspirational leader who founded Project Respect, an NGO that defends the human rights of vulnerable women trafficked into Australia for sexual servitude. Kathleen’s advocacy brought these issues out from complete obscurity into the national arena – most recently in the high profile Four Corners/The Age investigation. Her ability to translate moral outrage into purposeful action has led to significant legal reforms and Project Respect’s outreach work has empowered many women in the sex industry.

In Kathleen’s campaign for Richmond and work on Yarra Council, she showed her grasp of complex policy issues including climate change and energy generation, public transport and health. She is a compelling negotiator whose command of detail and moral commitment reminds me of Senator Christine Milne.

During the 2010 Federal and State elections, Kathleen’s leadership mobilised hundreds of campaign volunteers, many without previous connections to the Greens. Her knowledge of community organising and social media has been utilised in Green School training. Kathleen’s campaigning skills are crucial to retaining and building our Senate vote.

Candidates of Kathleen’s record of achievement outside politics are extremely rare. I urge you to support her Senate campaign.

Jen Alden

• Member since 1995
• Co-founder Bendigo branch (1995)
• Three times branch convenor
• Previous state councillor
• Member, VFECC (2007)
• Co-founder, Country Greens Network
• Member, inaugural Policy Coordination Committee
• Convenor, Health Policy Working Group
• Candidate, City of Greater Bendigo local government elections (2002)
• Lead Upper House candidate, Northern Victoria (2006)

I have known Kathleen Maltzahn since she joined the party a decade ago and had been aware of her community activities prior to that.In her previous roles leading Project Respect and Women’s Health In The North Kathleen has demonstrated Green values of social justice and dedication to gender equity and diversity.

Her role as a councillor at Yarra further expanded her skill set in dealing with local residents’ concerns and helped consolidate the reputation of that council in leading the way on a multitude of Green issues.

During Kathleen’s campaign in the 2010 state election for the seat of Richmond I witnessed at first hand her campaign style, which exhibited great integrity and commitment and a capacity to think and act strategically.

Kathleen’s recent work with the Green Institute Green Schools was another useful contribution to the party and helped party members’ skill development, preparing another generation of Green change agents.

When Kathleen speaks, people listen. With her considered and inclusive style, Kathleen will be an asset to the parliamentary Greens. That is a plus for the party and one that will consolidate our public image of providing community representation on issues of worth.