Fourth candidate Workshop on equality for McMillan seat Photographs by Satin Edge Photography
Australian Marriage Equality will hold an election campaign workshop in Warragul on Saturday.
Australian Marriage Equality Victoria spokesperson Tim Peppard said the workshop, to be held at the Old Shire Hall, Queen St Warragul from 2pm, would allow community members to get involved in the campaign, ask questions and share their stories on why marriage equality matters.
“Marriage equality is a simple issue of fairness and equality,” he said.
“It is about members of our families, our friends, neighbours and workmates.
“It’s important that they have the same aspirations and opportunities in life as every Australian.”
Mr Peppard said the workshop in Warragul was part of the largest election campaign AME has ever undertaken. It will involve AME being active in more than 30 seats across every state in Australia.
“Marriage equality is an issue that unites supporters and candidates across all major parties and we have a plan to ensure this election returns stronger support than ever,” he said.
“We continue to send the message that a plebiscite on marriage equality is unnecessary and expensive and it can easily be resolved by a vote in the parliament.
A fourth candidate has been endorsed for the McMillan electorate in the Federal election on July 2.
Jennifer McAdam of Belgrave (not in McMillan electorate) will represent the Animal Justice Party.
Ms McAdam, who contested the seat of Monbulk for the AJP in 2014, said the party had asked her four months ago to stand in McMillan.
Although acknowledging her chances of winning the seat are slim, she said people could make a statement with their allocation of preferences.
“Ninety-six per cent of people say they are against animal cruelty”.
Ms McAdam said preferences of AJP candidates had not been finalised but would be decided by the party on a State by State basis.
More than 50 candidates about 50 per cent of them in Victoria - will stand for AJP at the election.
Ms McAdam is one of 27 that will contest House of Representatives seats in Victoria and two will stand on the Senate paper.
A married mother of a twoyear old Ms McAdam, a teacher aged 30, said she was proud to represent the party in McMillan.
She said it was possible to care about people and animals at the same time saying she and her husband were an example of that.
As well as having their own child, they are foster carers for vulnerable children taking in young people needing respite, share their home with two “rescued” rabbits and ducks and Ms McAdam said she also ran Vegan cooking classes that raises money for a Refugee Action organisation.
She said the party aimed to promote and protect the interests and capabilities of animals by providing a dedicated voice for them in the Australian political system.
AJP states animals need to be protected whether they are domestic, farmed of in the wild and that humans have a responsibility to avoid harming them and the environment through their lifestyles, diets and practices.
Nominations for both the House of Representatives and Senate close next Thursday.
In addition to Ms McAdam candidates endorsed to date for McMillan are sitting Liberal member Russell Broadbent, the ALP’s Chris Buckingham and The Greens Donna Lancaster.