Patrik Ralph, aged 22, pushing for rates, roads reform as part of City of Darwin Waters Ward council bid

He might be one of the youngest candidates running in next month’s local government elections, but Patrik Ralph doesn’t see that as a weakness. Find out what the young Darwin council hopeful stands for.

Patrik Ralph, 22, is running for a council position within the City of Darwin. Picture: Patrik Ralph

Patrik Ralph, 22, might be the youngest candidate running in next month’s local government elections — but he says he doesn’t shy away from that detail.

In fact, he says he embraces it.

“I’m going into this with the attitude of ‘I don’t know everything’, and I think that’s a breath of fresh air for some people,” said Mr Ralph, who is vying for a councillor position within the City of Darwin’s Waters Ward.

“I’m not going to get everything right, and I’m prepared to listen and change course; there’s no shame in that.

“There’s definitely value in experience … but I also believe that not thinking you know everything is a good quality in a politician because it shows they can listen to people of the community … and not be stuck in their ways.”

Mr Ralph is the son of a Cyclone Tracy survivor. Picture: Patrik Ralph

Mr Ralph said he was putting his hand up because a “lot of people feel forgotten in politics”, including seniors, people with disabilities and those who feel like they are not being listened to.

Despite being relatively young compared to other candidates, the Darwin-born local says he has amassed his share of experiences over the years.

He has a Certificate III in Business and a Diploma of Law, and he’s currently working at Parap Primary School and training at CDU to become a high school civics teacher.

Mr Ralph previously worked in several Northern Territory Government departments including Health and Education.

He was also a third generation employee at Casuarina Senior College in student attendance and engagement.

“It sounds a bit cliche, but I’m just a regular kind of guy,” said Mr Ralph.

In terms of the issues he wanted to tackle, Mr Ralph said returning to the basics of roads, rates and rubbish were big on his agenda.

Mr Ralph said rates shouldn’t be raised if the reasons why weren’t clear. Picture: Patrik Ralph

“I’m a big believer that if I can’t justify to you why your rates should be raised … then we shouldn’t be raising them,” he said.

Other things such as community safety, which he said could be improved via adding more public lighting, as well as fixing the “crumbling” footpaths were two major concerns that he said he would advocate to improve.

Increased transparency with the community through more public forums was something he would advocate for, too, he said, speaking about the recently installed Cyclone Tracy kinetic sculpture on Bundilla Beach, which drew the ire from many survivors.

“As a representative, you need to be able to say: ‘Sorry’,” he said.

“People want to hear that you recognise the mistakes you’ve made and that you’re going to fix it.”

Waters Ward comprises the suburbs of Anula, most of Berrimah, Coonawarra, Eaton, Karama, Malak, Marrara, Moil, Wagaman, Winnellie and Wulagi.

To keep up to date with Mr Ralph’s campaign, view his Facebook page here: https://tinyurl.com/2vhtavxp

Originally published as Patrik Ralph, aged 22, pushing for rates, roads reform as part of City of Darwin Waters Ward council bid