It’s a beautiful Sunday morning. model-slater walks around the Preston Market, enjoying a borek from Ishtar. He greets those who recognise him (the number of which are dwindling). He stands up on a crate holding a microphone connected to a speaker. He begins to announce his Senate candidacy for the Socialist Party.

Good Morning all! For those who don’t know me, I am model-slater and I am running to be your next Senator for Victoria! I’ve come to Preston Market, firstly for some delicious food, so Shout out to Ishtak Boreks, you are powering the hearts and minds of the Victorian Socialist branch!

Crowd chuckles.

The Preston Market is a proud community staple, open since 1970. Whether you’re a nonna doing a weekly coffee and catching up with friends, a family in your weekly shop, or a teenager as I once was, looking for cheap eats, the Preston Market has it all. It’s a vibrant, bustling community space that we all love. It’s a true representation of migrant and working-class communities of the northern suburbs, and cannot be lost. However, unfortunately I have also started my campaign here as i t illustrates how capitalism and neoliberalism has the capacity to destroy the social fabric of the community. You are all surely aware of the plans for greedy, billionaire developers to demolish this market and undermine the cultural, social and heritage value that the market currently provides!

Calls of “SHAME!” can be heard.

Myself, and the Socialists are staunchly opposed to this poorly considered development, which places choking, looming apartment buildings over this open air market. The sheer magic and vibrancy of the surrounding area will be completely destroyed to fill the profits of the economic elite. It’s despicable, but we have an opportunity now to SAVE THE PRESTON MARKET! It is time to compulsorily acquire this community asset, and protect the original market. A cherished community asset should not be held captive by gigantic corporate interests; rather, it ought to be under the ownership of the people who use and enjoy it. Only 1.3% of submissions on the development supported this market destruction? Is this democracy?

Loud calls of “NO” can be heard.

This is why the Socialists support public ownership across the nation. Profits are too often placed before us, the community, and it is fundamentally corrupt.Now, don’t get me wrong, Australia has a housing affordability crisis. We have families fleeing domestic violence into homelessness, and renters under the boot of oppressive landlords. But a complex of luxury private apartments built for 1 to 2 people is not the solution. Under the Socialist Party, we need to invest in PUBLIC HOUSING that won’t harm our community spaces. Darebin, Melbourne and Australia generally have a severe shortage of public and community housing, and this is what we need to address. It would not hurt the market if we replaced half the eyesore that is this awful carpark out the back. We can build real, public, sustainable housing that is broadly supported by the community. That is democracy.

These are principles that the Socialist Party is founded on. We envision a transformed democratic world free from exploitation, poverty and oppression, and together, with your vote we can build this society. Now, I don’t want to take up anymore of your day, but it’s been a pleasure to speak to you all! If anyone would like to reach out, please take my details here.

A small socialist card is handed out! (Front) (Back)