Sam launches "FreoReport" website

Sam has launched a new website - FreoReport.net - to let residents know about what's going on at Fremantle Council.

From the site, residents can also subscribe to Sam's email list which will cover reports from the council and other issues affecting the people of Fremantle.

"Of course the council itself publishes minutes but I will be aiming to give people a bit of more of a sense of who said what and also about the kind of action people can take to make a difference on the important issues before council."

This website will no longer be updated and new info will go on FreoReport.net.

Rally to defend the public sector

The Barnett government has embarked on a major assault on the public sector in WA and all workers and members of the community have an interest in seeing these attacks defeated.
I'd strongly urge you to get along to the rally being planned by the Civil Service Association on Thursday March 11.

Rally for secure jobs:Thurs 11 March 2010 12.30pm, Parliament House

For more info check out this Green Left article or click on the image to the left to visit the CSA website.

Gimme Shelter - homeless benefit

Hi, I've been asked by Dave Johnson to pass on notice about this upcoming event at which all profits will be used to support the homeless. If you're interested, I'd encourage you to make it along to the Fremantle Arts Centre on Sat 20 Feb to support a good cause.

Combined union float - Fremantle Festival Parade

Unions: Part of the Fremantle Community

 Join the combined union contingent in the Fremantle Festival Parade

3pm, Sun 15 Nov

Carpark #11, Marine Parade

Sam Wainwright  0412 751 508 (MUA)

Michelle Sheehy  0412 772 137 (ASU)

Hilton Harvest Lunch

On Sunday I attended the "Lunch in the Park" put on by the Hilton Harvest Community Garden

Save Beeliar Wetlands - 1000 people rally on Oct 31

Around a thousand people rallied to show the continued and determined oppostion to the proposed Roe 8 extension that would seriously damage the Beeliar Wetlands. Local residents, state MPs, local government representatives and members of the Nyoongar community all addressesd the rally. 

A number of speakers emphasised how expanded rail freight and public transport infrastructure would be a far better alternative to the endless expansion of freeways to cope with increased road congestion. 

Congratulations to the Beeliar Heritage and Conservation Council for organising such a spirited and colourful display of opposition to Colin Barnett's freeway addicted madness.

To find out more or to get involved in the campaign go to http://savebeeliarwetlands.com/

[Photos by Zeb Parkes.]

Neighbourhood Watch Community BBQ

Congratulations to everyone who made the community BBQ in Grigg Park on Sunday October 25 such a success.

Anti-nuclear fundraiser: Duck & Cover Hop

WHEN: Friday 6 November 2009

WHERE: Fremantle Town Hall

TIME: 7.30pm-midnight

TIX: $30 unwaged / $40 waged / $60 solidarity
*all tickets include supper

Fully licenced bar available

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Travel back in time, dust off your cool threads and get crazy for a cause at the Duck and Cover Hop – Fremantle’s first and finest retro radioactive ball.

Dance the night away to Harry Deluxe and DJ Atomic ‘Burn’, with special appearances by the radioactive ladies of Sugar Blue Burlesque and the Swing Academy.

Join the Conservation Council of Western Australia, Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia Fremantle Anti Nuclear Group and The Greens at the

The DUCK COVER HOP retro radioactive 1950s ball

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH COMMUNITY BBQ

GRIGG PARK, SUNDAY 25 October 2009 from 12.00 noon Sausages & buns provided, soft drinks for sale. The entire community is invited to join in and reinvigorate the community spirit of Hilton. Come along to visit with your neighbours, meet new ones and make new friends. If you are able, please bring a salad or sweet to share, but most importantly, just bring yourselves. Mary Barton Suburb Manager Neighbourhood Watch Hilton nhwhilton@gmail.com.

Thanks to all who supported my campaign

[On the right is a paid advertisement in the Fremantle Herald. Below is the text of a letter I've submitted to the Herald.]

I’d like to extend a big thanks to everyone who supported my council election campaign. I believe council can and should be trying to get greater community participation in decision making, involve in community life people who are often excluded, take a lead on protecting the environment and stick up for workers rights. If I can make even a small contribution in this regard it will have been worthwhile.

I’d also like to acknowledge the other candidates for Hilton Ward. We’re all pretty passionate about our ideas on how to improve our community, but there was no mud-slinging or dirty stuff. Outgoing councillor Alice King as well as fellow candidates Bob Smith, Dave Hume and Frank Acocella were all quick to wish me well and I thank them for it.

Furthermore there were some areas where we were in strong agreement; such as the desperate need for proper public toilets that meet modern accessibility requirements at the Hilton shops, and improving public transport use through a Fremantle Free Transit Zone and an eastern CAT service reaching into suburbs such as Beaconsfield, Hilton and Samson. I hope we can make some progress on these two issues soon.

Thanks again,

Sam Wainwright
(Councillor, Hilton Ward)

Sam sworn in to council

Sam Wainwright being sworn in as a Fremantle City Councillor
19 October 2009


Sam's (temporary) council name plate


Fremantle Council


Sam with campaign manager Justine Kamprad

First socialist elected to Fremantle Council

New councillor for Hilton Sam Wainwright thanks supporters

Newly elected Hilton councillor Sam Wainwright summarised what he saw as the significance of his election to Fremantle Council, “It’s a victory for all those like me who believe that the council can and should play an active role in involving people in decision making, protecting the environment, campaigning for workers rights and making a place in the community for people who are too often left out, such as indigenous Australians or people with disabilities.”

Wainwright is a Co-convenor of Socialist Alliance in Western Australia and activist in the Maritime Union of Australia. He said, “I think I’m the first socialist elected to public office in WA for a long time, if not ever. Most candidates for council try to appeal to the middle ground and keep their political affiliations quiet. I don’t believe in that approach. I think it’s better to be upfront about your beliefs. Throughout the campaign I emphasised that I was a staunch socialist, unionist and environmentalist.”

He added, “I didn’t expect everyone to sign up to everything I stand for. But I did ask people to believe that I would be a hard working campaigner for their rights. I’m really grateful and humbled that so many people have shown their confidence in me and saw my background as a positive.”

Wainwright thanked the diverse range of people that supported his campaign, “Active support came from all sorts of places: members of Socialist Alliance, the Greens and the ALP all pitched in; many unionists and community activists helped out; and last but not least, everyday residents who don’t wear a political label but want to see the sort of change that we talked about in the campaign. The election result belongs to these people and I know that the hard work now begins.”

Commenting on the mayoral election Wainwright said, “With three different Greens members running for mayor I was worried that they would takes votes from each other and allow a more conservative candidate to win. However Brad Pettit’s win was emphatic and I extend my congratulations to him for his strong and vibrant campaign. There has been a real changing of the guard on the council and I expect there will be some passionate and intense debate about the future of Fremantle. I think this is a good thing and will be arguing my case like everyone else. At the same time I pledge to work constructively with the rest of council where we can find common ground on the way forward.”

Victory for Sam by 100 votes

Sam Wainwright won 438 votes (33.44%) - over 100 more votes than Sam's nearest competitor and enough to put him over the line for the Hilton Ward of Fremantle Council.

Official election results are here.

At a victory celebration last night, Sam told supporters that this victory was for the whole Socialist Alliance and the diverse supporters of his campaign. He was proud that this campaign had been successful while being fully open about his socialist, environmentalist and unionist convictions.

Sam is the first Socialist Alliance member to be elected to a local government position in Australia.

What I stand for

You can see a summary of what I stand for...
By clicking on this link

or Downloading my election flyer which covers these points:

Make Fremantle a fight climate change council ** Support rights for council and community workers ** Reconnect Samson with Fremantle City ** Maintaining our beaches, parks and green spaces for everyone ** Value older and long term residents - Rates based on ability to pay, not just house value ** Council Democracy and Services Provision ** Samson Shops ** Council support for community gardens ** Hilton Precinct

Better public transport, now!

I’m committed to dramatically improving public transport services. We need to organise to put pressure on the state government to spend more of the billion of dollars in mining royalties on public transport infrastructure. This is vital to make a more liveable city and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. A good first step would be the introduction of a CAT service linking Fremantle to Beaconsfield, Hilton and Samson. We also need a Free Transit Zone such as already exists in the Perth CBD. We also need to build an extensive light rail network to move tens of thousands out of their cars and into public transport.

For a great vision of what such a system could look like check out this plan developed by Greens senator Scott Ludlam.

http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/light-rail-perth#attachments