About Me
Hi, my name is Zheng and I'm a local progressive independent running for Preston.
While I'm also a local resident, young parent, small business owner, bicycle enthusiast, and lover of borek, there is an important side of me that I would like to share with you today, which is me as an activist academic.
I'm a grassroots community activist who sees the radical possibilities of government. I believe government should improve people's everyday lives. Through government, we can make housing more affordable and build more public housing. We can make public transport free, frequent and accessible. We can properly fund our schools, hospitals and essential public services. We can invest in the parks, public spaces and community infrastructure that bring us together. We can hold developers to higher standards and make sure that as our suburbs grow, our communities benefit too.
But good government isn't just about what we build or the services we provide. It's also about how decisions are made. I believe in government that listens to people, works alongside communities and puts the public interest ahead of private interests and party politics. That's the kind of politics I want to bring to Preston.
I completed my Masters of Urban Planning in 2017 and am have a PhD in Urban Planning. My research looks at how communities can work together to create social change, and I use Preston Market as one of my case studies. As a community organiser, I've worked closely with the Save The Preston Market action group to help guide our actions and shape our strategy, and I saw how our community campaign helped to prevent the overbearing redevelopment of Preston Market. Our impact in the State Election in 2022, with the sensational efforts of Gaetano Greco (by making the seat of Preston marginal) made the Labor Government realise that if they demolish Preston Market, they would upset the community and lose the seat in the next election.
Through my research I saw the power of politics and it has inspired me to run for government. I saw the real possibility for change and the power of being an independent. I recognise that many of us are struggling, and with the current cost of living crisis, I think its important to send a message to the political establishment that we the people want change. As your future state member of parliment I want to keep fighting to improve our society, to strengthen our democracy, and to always act in the interest of the people.
Cheers,
Zheng
