The Hon. Tim Clifford MLC gave his inaugural speech on Tuesday 13 June to a packed chamber at Parliament House. As one of four Greens members elected to the Legislative Council, Tim has recently set up office in Midland, the heart of the East Metropolitan region.
It wasn’t so long ago that Tim and three of his friends found themselves in a park planning to do something about fighting for a fair deal for all. They’d had enough of seeing more and more homeless people on the streets of their neighbourhood and of headlines showing an alarming decrease in renewable energy investment alongside steady increases in power costs.
Tim put aside his career as a public servant and threw his hat in the ring as a candidate for the East Metropolitan region. It seemed his message resonated and in no time, Tim had hundreds of volunteers lining up behind him to doorknock. Their efforts paid off with Tim being elected to the Legislative Council in March.
For Tim the importance of everyone having a fair go was very close to his heart. “Growing up we didn’t have much, but we didn’t ask for much either. We did, however, live under a roof provided by the state and also relied on health care provided by the state. We knew and respected the value of these services – services which are at the core of our community and which should mean that no person, child or family goes without the home, healthcare or education they need.”
In Tim’s inaugural speech, he promised to tackle the big issues, to oversee real change, “As representatives of the people, we are here to solve the big problems: homelessness, inequality, climate change, growing the renewable energy market, and transforming Perth into a more liveable city. I am personally committed to ensuring that in four years’ time, the people of Western Australia have a better community than they have today.”
“With looming increases in power charges, we need to make sure that the cheapest renewable energy options are available for all and that electricity is charged at an appropriate rate so that those most at risk are not disadvantaged.”