Opinion Piece by Lynne Strong 

I find myself deeply disappointed by the recent stance taken by Yasmin Tatrai, the leader of one of the Independent teams for the Kiama LGA council election, in which she has urged voters to put the Greens last on their ballots. 

Her remarks, which cast the Greens as extreme and out of touch, are not only divisive but also fail to acknowledge the valuable contributions of those who have served our community with dedication and integrity.

Let me be clear: I am apolitical. I vote for whoever I believe will represent my values, regardless of party affiliation. At the local level, I have the utmost admiration for our previous Greens councillors, Kathy Rice and Jodi Keast. These women have shown what it means to have the courage of their convictions. They have stood up, been counted, and refused to succumb to the toxic “stay in line or be silenced” culture that pervades so much of our political discourse.

Kathy Rice and Jodi Keast have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the community. They have advocated for sustainable development, practical conservationism, and the long-term well-being of Kiama. They have done so not because it was easy, but because it was right. Their integrity and bravery in the face of pressure are qualities we should celebrate, not diminish.

Yasmin Tatrai’s rhetoric, which encourages voters to sideline the Greens, is not only a disservice to the individuals who have fought tirelessly for our community but also an oversimplification of the complex issues facing our council. To suggest that the Greens are synonymous with higher rates, budget chaos, and unnecessary bureaucracy is a misrepresentation of their record and their values.

Furthermore, while standing as independents, Tatrai and her team have been transparent about their political leanings. In her own words, "I want to be up-front and transparent about our political beliefs. Whilst we are all members of the Liberal Party, we are not running an official Liberal Party ticket so we can respond to local issues, but we want to be up-front about the values we represent." It’s essential for voters to understand this context when considering their choices.

I am a conservationist at heart. I believe in the importance of practical conservationism—measures that save money and protect the environment, like waste reduction, recycling, and efficient energy and water usage. These are initiatives that are not only good for our planet but also beneficial for our community’s financial health. The idea that these goals are mutually exclusive with sustainable development and fiscal responsibility is simply untrue.

Moreover, the suggestion that the Greens are an obstacle to small business and progress is, in my view, unfounded. The Greens have been strong advocates for the very kinds of balanced and thoughtful development that ensure Kiama remains a vibrant and sustainable place to live and work.

While I respect Yasmin Tatrai’s right to her views and her enthusiasm for serving on the council, I cannot endorse her call to marginalise a group that has shown such unwavering commitment to our community’s values. The strength of our democracy lies in its diversity of voices, and we should be wary of attempts to silence those who advocate for different approaches.

In this election, I encourage everyone to vote based on the issues that matter most to them and to consider the track record of all candidates. Let us remember that a healthy council is one that includes a range of perspectives, and that true leadership is about more than just winning—it’s about standing up for what you believe in and serving the community with integrity.