“We are not traditional politicians”: Elvis Martin’s bid for the City of Melbourne

Social equality and community service advocate and Southbank resident Elvis Martin has launched his campaign to become a City of Melbourne councillor with the endorsement of former Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

Team Elvis launched its council ticket at the Greek Community of Melbourne Centre on Lonsdale St last week and was joined by Ms Capp who resigned as Lord Mayor of Melbourne in July. 

Mr Martin, who recently represented Melbourne before the United Nations, will run as an independent at the top of a councillor ticket. 

“It is important the City of Melbourne is run by local people and remains independent,” Mr Martin told Southbank News.

I don’t want politicians to sit in a fancy room in Town Hall and make decisions without community consultation because it suits the party ticket.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Ms Capp said, “Elvis is already a leader in our city – he is a proven community leader, and an advocate for so many important issues … a value-added voice at so many forums around the city.”

“Elvis is a doer – when he says he’s going to do something he does it 1000 per cent.”

Among his policies, Mr Martin wants to expand the council’s Make Room project, which is converting a council-owned building on Little Bourke St into crisis and medium-term housing for people sleeping rough across the municipality. 

“Homelessness has a ripple effect across the entire community,” Mr Martin said.

“I hear loud and clear the challenges small businesses are facing due to homelessness in Melbourne.”

“We don’t want to head down the road of other big international cities that ignored their homeless and now don’t know what to do about it.”

Mr Martin has also committed to revealing every donation the Team Elvis campaign received ahead of the election results, and challenged other City of Melbourne candidates to match him.

“I want people to know who is contributing to our campaign,” Mr Martin said.

“Candidates are not required to disclose where donations come from. Why not?”

“We must hold politicians accountable. We are not untouchable angels.”

Joining the Team Elvis ticket are former Manningham City councillor Sophie Galbally, entrepreneurs Jin Ling and Mavi Singh, veteran restaurateur Paul Moore and architect Melissa Rymer.

“Politics doesn’t usually cross the minds of people working at a ground level in the community,” Mr Martin told Southbank News.

“There’s a feeling that it’s not their space to get things done.”

“These are all independent people who have been working within their communities for a long time.”

“We are here to champion the voices of all Melburnians, especially those who have felt unheard.”

Mr Martin teased the swift arrival of more campaign policies around community safety, workplaces, diversity, entrepreneurship and youth engagement.

He also challenged other locals to run independently for office.

“Too often local government officials just show up at your door every four years asking for support,” Mr Martin said. “Otherwise, you never see them.”

“But what have they done? What are they actually doing? Are their commitments even deliverable by the City of Melbourne?”

“My team and I, our commitment is we will be at ground level, working.”

“We are not traditional politicians. We are grassroots.” •