Dandenong North resident Richard Grossi will run as the Australian Democrats’ candidate for the seat of Bruce at this year’s federal election.By Shaun Inguanzo
RICHARD Grossi will be the face of the Australian Democrats’ bid to win the seat of Bruce at this year’s federal election.
The 23-year-old Dandenong North law student may be fresh on the political scene, but believes his youth will help him appeal to younger as well as older voters.
Mr Grossi said he was focused on fixing housing affordability, improving public transport through Federal Government funding, and ensuring changes to workplace relations were fair for employers without compromising the basic rights of Australian workers.
But the motor driving his political vehicle is local, and having grown up in Dandenong, Mr Grossi said he had a greater understanding of the region than his major party rivals, the Liberal Party’s Angela Randall and Labor MP Alan Griffin.
Aside from studying law and political science, Mr Grossi said he spent time as a volunteer at a paralegal community centre in Boronia.
“It’s the Outer Eastern Community Legal Centre,” he said.
His catchcry is that justice is for all, and it is a feeling that spreads into his thoughts on workplace reform, housing affordability and public transport.
Mr Grossi said he understood the concerns of small businesses regarding further changes to WorkChoices, having started an information technology business after finishing his Victorian Certificate of Education.
But, he said, the Democrats would not bow to pressure from either unions or business and would attempt to strike a fair deal if able to reclaim some power at this year’s federal election.
Mr Grossi said even if he was unsuccessful in his campaign for Bruce, he was hoping to encourage more young people to participate in political debate and to even enter politics to become tomorrow’s leaders.
“There are plenty of opportunities for other young people to become involved,” he said.
