The 2020 exectutive.
Grace Britton - Co-Convenor
Hey I’m Grace and I’m one of your convenors for 2020. I’m studying Law & Global Studies, have a healthcare background and am now working in the mighty union movement. I’m passionate about better mental health outcomes, legitimate inclusivity in politics and a fairer approach for all. But I’m more than my politics! Talk to me anytime about cats, Julia Louis Dreyfus-related content, how good walking is or your favourite type of cheese.
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Christopher Pyne may be gone from Parliament, but I’ll never forget him. Trying to deregulate universities in Parliament but also going on the Project to sing Fernando? Shameless! But at least he never hid his talents- singing, not being Minister for Education, I mean. He was a pretty shit Minister for Education.
Favourite non-Australian politician?
As a Canadian citizen, I feel the need to rep my other home country. I’ve been really impressed by Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, who is a 26-year-old Inuit woman elected to represent Nunavut in the federal parliament. Youth suicide and access to basic resources, like water, are some of the key issues in the region. Mumilaaq didn’t have any political experience before she ran and still won. I’m so excited to see young women representing their communities in a powerful way and I can’t wait to see what Mumilaaq achieves as an MP!
Patrick Stephenson - Co-Convenor
Hi! I’m Patrick, one of the co-conveners of YLL in 2020. I’ve always considered myself progressive but didn’t really get stuck into politics until I joined the Labor club at Monash. The catalyst for me to get involved was my opposition to Labor’s policy of offshore detention for asylum seekers and refugees. I considered joining the Greens, but I strongly believe Labor is the party that makes change, even though it isn’t always perfect. The issues I’m most passionate about are workers’ rights, drug law reform, LGBTIQA+ equality (we’re not there yet), and justice for First Nations People. The more young people that get involved in our movement, the stronger it is. I’d encourage anyone who reads this to join the Labor Left club on their campus, you never know where it could lead you.
Favourite movie?
Tomb Raider but the 2001 version with Angelina Jolie really just does it for me.
Favourite MP?
Don Dunstan and Penny Wong - two icons from my home state of SA
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez
What are you excited for in 2020?
Rihanna to drop the album of the millenium
Georgie Beatty - Treasuer
Heya, My name is Georgie and I am 18. I am just about to start studying Arts, and am hoping to Major in Politics (big surprise lol). I was elected Treasurer for YLL in 2020 after I got involved last year. I have always been passionate about politics since I was a wee lamb but the catalyst to fully immerse myself and do stuff was when Julia Gillard was elected PM. She said "today is a good day for Redheads" and my little ranga heart burst. Julia showed me how important representation is in politics and not just for women. Further, as a young person I'm very passionate about abolishing youth wages, fair educational funding and the climate crisis. Hope to see you around!
Favourite movie?
Would have to be a draw between the Disney Pixar animation Cars and High School Musical.
Favourite music artist?
Probably Vance Joy but I’ve really been getting into Gang of Youths… Also my guilty pleasure is totally Shawn Mendes.
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez but I FRIGGIN adore Jacinta Arden.
Favourite MP?
Ged Kearney hands down. #cooper4life
Jack Buksh - Secretary
Hey! I’m Jack, a third-year politics and geography student at the University of Melbourne. As all good secretaries should, I love governance and constitutions! I’m also a huge fan of public transport, particularly trains. Before you ask - because I know it’s thrilling! – my favourite kind of train is an HCMT and I love a refurbished B-Class tram. Anyway join the Young Labor Left, we’re all very cool and fun!
What made you want to get involved in YLL?
I think that it’s important that the young folk get involved in these structures to actually push for progressive change, rather than just watching on from the sidelines. The Labor Left is one of the only meaningful ways that change occurs – so what better way is there to get involved?
What are you excited for in 2020?
2020 is a great year for starting new hobbies, outside of student politics and the ALP - I recommend it. In 2020, I look forward to creating a series of oil paintings.
Favourite Movie?
Star Wars. A classic.
Gursewak Singh - Policy
Having just finished at Monash, studying environmental sciences and international relations, I am still trying to find my place in the world. I’ve committed myself to making sure that the voices of progressive politics and the environment are heard just as loud as before in the ALP. As an outer-suburban member, I also want the party to talk to Victorians who feel that Labor has left them behind. That’s why I’ve been active in the Labor Environment Action Network, and in my local outer-north Craigieburn branch, and now I’m hoping to put some policy wins under Young Labor Lefts name so that Labor is talking about the things that also matter to young people. Outside of Labor, I’m a keen grand strategy video game player, an aspiring digital artist, an amateur Indian classical musician, and an armchair analyst of international politics.
Favourite movie?
Dead Poets Society
Favourite music artist?
Chris Stapleton, best intro to modern country
Favourite MP?
Ros Spence, Vic Member for Yuroke
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Helen Clark, PM of New Zealand ‘99-’08
What single catalyst made you want to get involved in YLL?
Wanting to advance progressive policies within the ALP, especially in ensuring the reconciliation of workers interests and the environments interests.
What are you excited for in 2020?
The Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in July, for once they actually align to our timezone, so no waking up at 3am to watch the opening ceremony this year.
Danielle Gilmartin - Women's
Hey, my name’s Danielle and I am the YLL Women’s convenor for 2020. I am so excited for the year ahead! I study electrical engineering at Swinburne University and in my spare time I run a rocketry team and go on walks with my cattle dog, Lewis. I’m also a Virgo and I love reading about the intersection of economics and politics. This year I want to help empower the voices of women in YLL and increase our diversity. I also look forward to running women’s YLL events and pushing for more women’s policy.
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Barnaby Joyce, he’s terrible but I can’t look away from that beet-red face.
Favourite movie?
My favourite movie of all-time is Bound, who wouldn’t wanna steal money from the mafia in a Wachowski sisters film?
Favourite MP?
The woman who started my love for the party, Penny Wong
What are you excited for in 2020?
I hopefully graduate this year! Fingers crossed.
Liam Mansbridge - Rural and Regional
Hi, my name is Liam, and I’m the rural and regional convenor for Young Labor Left. I’ve been an active ALP Left member since I joined the Party in early 2014. After a disheartening 2013 campaign and election loss from Federal Labor, I didn’t know what to do. But when I saw the progressive and inspiring campaign that Daniel Andrews was running, I saw that there was hope in being involved in the Labor Party. I knew that I wanted the Labor Party to be a progressive and genuinely left-wing movement, so I joined and immediately got involved in Young Labor Left, and with my local Socialist Left caucus.
I was also involved in the local We Are Union campaign. The people swept Daniel Andrews into power with the most progressive agenda Victoria and Australia had ever seen, and we’ve absolutely kept that legacy. The Andrews Government’s success has been thanks in part to the activism and involvement of regional and rural members, delivering us electoral success across the state, outside the metro area. Its activism and input from rural and regional members that leads to great policies like Free TAFE, three-year-old kinder and Free Dental. That's why this year I've stepped up to become a convenor, and I want to see this year more rural and regional young people involved in the Young Left so that our senior party reflects all parts of our state.
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Peter Dutton. Not only is he a crypto-fascist, but I lost $20 on Sportsbet betting he’d lose his seat.
Favourite movie?
Starship Troopers, it’s a classic.
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Bernie Sanders #bernie2020
Hannah Krasovec - Unions
Hey everyone, I’m Hannah, your 2020 YLL Unions Convenor. I’m a member of HospoVoice (the hospitality branch of United Workers Union - UWU!!) and I encourage everyone to find and join their union. I see unionism as a way of helping people with the struggles they face - wage theft, dodgy bosses, you name it.
What single catalyst made you want to get involved in YLL? I’ll be honest - I joined YLL because I loved a lot of the policies/viewpoints of Tanya Plibersek (Slovenians unite!!).
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Gladys Liu (I live in Chisholm and I’m extremely bitter about it)
Favourite music artist?
Lana Del Rey!!
What are you excited for in 2020?
I’m excited to commence my new course - Bachelor of Arts at Unimelb, majoring in politics (I know) and geography.
Eve Cain-McAliece - Disabilities
Hi everyone, for those of you who don’t know me my name is Eve Cain-McAliece and I am your YLL Disabilities Convener for 2020. Within my role this year I will be ensuring to support every YLL member who identifies as having a disability by hopefully holding a disabilities caucus to discuss what YLL as a whole can be improving on when it comes to supporting those with disabilities both on a caucus level and outside of YLL. I want to have more open policy discussions because I feel as though disability policy hasn’t been discussed as much as it needs to be and there so many great policy ideas that we should be working on and fighting for. I will be organising events that are accessible to all and also be ensuring that all other events that YLL hold in 2020 will be as accessible as possible. If you have any ideas for policy or events or any other things you’d like to run by my don’t hesitate to have a chat with me!
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Barnaby ‘I don’t want the government any more in my life but I’ll run for deputy PM’ Joyce.
Favourite movie?
Princess Diaries 2
Favourite music artist?
100% my fave music artist is Harry Styles
Favourite MP?
Look I know it’s a basic answer but Penny Wong will always have a place in my heart.
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Bernie for sure.
Samantha Wheeler - People of Colour
Hey everyone! I’m Samantha Wheeler your People of Colour Convener for YLL 2020. I joined YLL at the start of 2019 as I’ve been a Labor supporter ever since the Howard government started attacking workers’ rights. I’m mixed raced having a mother from the
Philippines and a father from here in Australia. I do a Bachelor of Science and Arts
majoring in Cell Biology and Professional and Creative writing. And in my free time… whoops, don’t have free time I work three Jobs due to capitalism. In YLL, I would like to empower more people of colour to get more representative roles, stand up against racism in YLL but also within the party. Hopefully see more POC issues becoming apart of the conversation may that be Wage theft, Visas/ citizenship issues and many other hardships. I hope to one day see a more multicultural and inclusive labor. If you ever see me, please don’t hesitate to have a chat. Always up to shit on racism with you.
Favourite music artist?
Kendrick Lamar
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Tony Abbott
What are you excited for in 2020?
Excited for December 31st 11.59pm
Brontë Pearce - LGBTQ+
Hi, I'm Brontë and I'm the queer convenor for 2020. I'm 22, a Leo, I grew up in Bendigo, and have since moved to Melbourne, specifically the glorious Republic of Cooper. Between studying Human Resources at La Trobe and working in the city, I usually spend my time playing video games, making art, or binge re-watching Seinfeld for hours on end. I'm really keen to start this new year with everyone, learn what you care about, and get some action going.
Favourite movie?
Napoleon Dynamite
Favourite music artist?
I'm vibing Violent Soho recently
What single catalyst made you want to get involved in YLL?
Education policies and reformation - my hometown keeps getting its uni courses cut and it sucks for my friends back home.
What are you excited for in 2020?
Animal Crossing for the Switch!
Nick Lazzara - Publications
Hey, I’m Nick, and I am the publications convenor for 2020! I joined YLL early 2019, still buzzing from the Victorian state election win and seeing what a strong, progressive Labor government can do! I was particularly inspired by all the infrastructure projects undertaken as I aspire to work in civil engineering. I love the inclusivity in YLL and how supportive the community is and I really want to help expand that in my role this year!
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Jason Wood probably. His Facebook ads infuriate me so much to the point I've commented so much I've actually been blocked by him.
Favourite music artist?
I love Mahler (especially symphonies 2,6,9,10) and Shostakovich (no. 5 especially) and modern stuff I love Opeth, Slint, Ne Obliviscaris, King Crimson... I could go on forever
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Probably wouldn't be into politics if it wasn't for Bernie Sanders.
What are you excited for in 2020?
I’m going to be scoring a film with Radio Monash and the Monash Film Society.
Jordan Casey - Indigenous
Hey I’m Jordan and I am the Indigenous officer for 2020!
Lib/Nat you love to hate?
Bernie Finn
Favourite movie?
Titanic
Favourite music artist?
Disturbed
Favourite MP?
Josh Bull
Favourite non-Australian politician?
Hilary Clinton
What are you excited for in 2020?
Completing further CFA training & running an EBA campaign