Hello Supporter

Welcome to my first election-ready newsletter. 

This is the first in many updates you will receive regularly - they will not ordinarily be this long!

Since the announcement of my candidacy in November, I have been busy on the ground, meeting people in dog parks, park runs and markets, anywhere our Hughes community gathers. Importantly, I have also been connecting with community groups and organisations right across the electorate, many of which have been long ignored by our current MP.

A fantastic team has been building and now we are ready to expand - with your help. 

For me personally, it has been a transition from focusing on We Are Hughes which has always been about building community, talking with experts and bringing information to our electorate. I realised quite quickly, that the ethos of We Are Hughes of Integrity, being Informed and being Inclusive did not change with the new status of being a candidate. 

Importantly I learnt very quickly not to play-act being a politician. Being honest and authentic is paramount. 

So here I am. What you see, hear and read, is what you get. I am ready.  

What have I been seeing, hearing and doing in Hughes?

Craig Kelly is nowhere to be seen. His billboards, flyers and texts are the only reminders that he is running (or is he, who knows?)

The Liberal party are still playing politics with our electorate, and less than four months out from an election they have no candidate. There is talk they will parachute someone in with no connection to our electorate, denying the local branch again to have a say in who is pre-selected. This overriding of the local democratic process has delivered and protected Craig Kelly for the past three terms. 

Everywhere I go, people are interested in the future of Hughes. Being independent means people open up, they don't attribute me with a "side" of politics and feel free to talk. This is the type of political space I have been wanting for years. An engaged community and respectful dialogue.

Some of the insights the Hughes community have shared with me include frustration that our current MP is part of spreading misinformation on COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. Many people have told me they had no idea what he was really like. One lady who campaigned for him said she had ‘campaigners regret

Integrity and climate change feature heavily in our conversations. People are also very concerned about Aged Care, the NDIS and affordable housing. These are all issues I will prioritise, not only because I care deeply about them, but they are community-driven issues. 

I have heard several stories of grant applications going unrecognised not even a courteous response or acknowledgement of their effort. As a result of these conversations, it has become a priority for me to have a dedicated grants facilitation process within my office if elected.

I have had quite a few discussions about the arts with people in the industry, so many missed out on Job Keeper due to the casual nature of the workforce. Funding the arts has been included in my positions and you can read more about my thoughts about this important sector here.

I have had the pleasure of meeting with many organisations based here in Hughes. I am lucky to have Wilma on my team, who has a long career as a diversity and inclusion manager. Wilma has facilitated introductions for me with Sutherland Shire Reconciliation Group, the ex-CEO of the Australian Network on Disability and arranged meetings with local organisations offering services to refugees and migrants. 

I have also met with Amnesty International to discuss Climate Justice, Australia's treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum, First Nations Justice and Human Rights. 

Citizen journalism

Another interesting way to keep up with what is happening in our campaign is to follow the articles being written by citizen journalist, Daisy Winney. You can follow Daisy on Twitter or link to her articles below. 

Representation and Small Business

I also recently spent a few hours with the leadership of Shire Women, a local organisation that provide education, networking, events and a promotional platform for professional women and businesses in the Sutherland Shire. We talked about everything from female representation, the importance of childcare,  parental leave and the trials, tribulations and joys of running a small business. I feel an affinity with this group, they are a natural fit for me having run my own international consulting business from Hughes for over 25 years.

I will be a strong advocate for all small businesses. COVID-19 recovery will be a priority. Making sure businesses know how to access grants and any available support will be part of my office structure. And, of course, I will always listen to concerns and advocate for any issues as they arise.  
 

Stay up to date via our website and social media

If you are on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram we encourage you to engage with our social pages. They are updated daily and address the issues of the day. By engaging and liking or commenting you help increase our reach. This is an immediate action you can take to help me with my campaign. 

My website is regularly updated with blog posts. Please take the time to explore the website news and updates. 

Flyers, Signs and stickers! Help us get the word around town
 

Our campaign is underway - and we want as much community involvement as possible. 

We are soon to sign a lease on our campaign hub. This will be a space that we can call our own for the campaign duration. It will be functional and welcoming, a dynamic and creative space. We will also use it for training, logistics and more.

With your help, we can get our message out, we would love you to be part of the team changing Hughes. 

We now have flyers, signage and stickers ready to go! 

Please contact us directly at community@lindaseymour.com.au to help deliver flyers, grab a Vote 1 Linda Seymour Sign for your front yard or put a sticker on your car! 

Meet our Mascot - and help us get creative to spread the word

Our Mascot may be cute, but she has a serious message. Sadly, this week the Australian Government listed the koala as endangered. 

In Hughes we are fortunate to have koalas across our electorate, and we don't ever want to lose them. 

We have a team rolling out our purple koala mascots across Hughes. To date we have signs, a stunning knitted Koala, and even some ceramic pieces. Follow this link to learn more about our mascot and how you can get creative with our crafty team. 

Or email creative@lindaseymour.com.au

Read more and get involved with our koala campaign.

Events - we have some superb events in the pipeline. We will be in touch as soon as the details are confirmed. Check the website regularly for updates and follow our social pages for casual local meet up opportunities. 

Thank you!

I want to say a great big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to participate in this unique opportunity that we are building in Hughes. Thank you for the messages of support, from near and far. Your support can take many forms, your time, your donations, your creative input, your skills, and importantly your desire for better politics in our country. 

The video sign off at the end of this newsletter was created by Liz Aitkin who wrote the song, played the music then produced the video. It is overwhelming receiving something like this. This is - as they say - priceless. 

Everyone wants to know that the person representing Hughes in Parliament works hard every day to improve our lives.  

Unfortunately, the people of this beautiful place we call home have been repeatedly let down by a member who has undermined our public health response, and ignored the science on climate change. 

I am doing politics differently, working constructively with all across our electorate. With your support, I will continue to speak to people living in Hughes, to businesses and community groups. If you are able, please chip in to support to my campaign so that I can be a representative that works for you. I will keep working hard for action on climate change, integrity in politics, and a better future for us all… every amount helps. 

Acknowledgement of Country

I acknowledge and respect the traditional owners of the regions we are fortunate to inhabit. I recognise their connection to the lands, the waters, culture and community. I recognise all Elders past, present and future. I extend that respect to all Indigenous persons who visit our site and welcome all to join in our cause.