Council candidates accuse Streets Alive organisation of being ‘Greens front’ after ‘biased’ election ratings

A not-for-profit community group is in hot water after rolling out an allegedly “biased” election scorecard that appeared to favour Greens candidates while starkly attacking independents.

Neighbourhood community group Streets Alive, founded by Jeremy Lawrence, has been accused of being a front for the Greens party. Picture: Supplied

A neighbourhood community group has been accused of being a front for the Greens party and using the election campaign in two inner-city Melbourne councils to attack independent candidates.

Several nominees running in the Yarra and Darebin council elections have told the Herald Sun of their concerns over an election scorecard run by the Streets Alive organisation.

Candidates said the survey was “biased”, “unacceptable” and even “pathetic’’.

All Greens candidates were given top marks — two green ticks — while independents were given red crosses with some accused of “spreading misinformation”. A few have scored one green tick and others even a mysterious orange circle.

The Streets Alive Yarra election scorecard rated all Greens candidates highly but derided many independents.

Candidates were asked to fill out a survey by Streets Alive as part of its commitment to a “more beautiful, liveable, and accessible city’’.

But many candidates were scored before they had even replied, raising concerns the survey was biased and nominees were being railroaded and misrepresented.

Streets Alive Yarra is listed as a not-for-profit community organisation headed by Jeremy Lawrence.

Some Yarra candidates are already preparing to take legal action, the Herald Sun understands, and complaints have been lodged with the state’s council watchdog.

Tony Lee, an independent who is contesting Hoddle ward in the City of Yarra, was given a red cross even before he had filled out a Streets Alive survey.

Mr Lee said the questions were loaded and “full of bias” and needed more context.

He ended up filling out the survey but said the subsequent comments about him did not represent his responses. He was given a green tick but then, without explanation, an orange circle.

“I’d say it’s impossible to get all green ticks unless you’re a Green,” he said.

“I feel very betrayed.’’

Tony Lee was given a ‘red cross’ even before filling out the Streets Alive survey.

Melba ward independent candidate Christine Maynard accused Streets Alive of advocating for the Greens.

“It’s pathetic,’’ she said.

Councillor Bridgid O’Brien, who is running in the Yarra Bend ward, said the scorecard was unacceptable.

“Streets Alive is absolutely a front for the Greens,’’ she said.

Fellow Yarra Bend candidate Leonie Gnieslaw said she gave a detailed reply, even declaring she hoped for a “car-free utopia” in Yarra, but was surprised to still only get one green tick.

Yarra Councillor Bridgid O'Brien said the scorecard was unacceptable.

The Herald Sun sent detailed questions to Mr Lawrence, but he issued a statement, denying the group was associated with any political party and that he would welcome feedback from candidates unhappy with their score.

“We make no apologies for giving different scores to different candidates – the whole point of the scorecard is to help voters to distinguish between them.

“If a candidate has signed the Streets People Love pledge, answered yes to the questions on the Streets People Love survey, answered yes to the more detailed questions on the Streets Alive Yarra survey, and has a strong voting record on active transport (or is a member of a party with a strong voting record), then they’ll receive a higher score,’’ he said.

Greens candidate Harrison Watt is a Streets Alive Yarra stakeholder.

The Greens’ Charlotte George is also linked to Streets Alive.

The campaign isn’t about politics, he said, but safety on the roads and footpaths.

“If any candidate is unhappy with their score, we challenge them to publish their support for 30 km/h zones, modal filters, a cohesive network of protected bike lanes, street trees, wombat crossings, accessible tram stops, reforms to the pricing of parking, and the reallocation of street space for pocket parks.’’

In Darebin the Labor Party also slammed Streets Alive as having “no consultation, no transparency and no professionalism’’.

The party said its candidates were rated without being surveyed.

Streets Alive Yarra’s Instagram account has openly featured campaigning Greens candidates in recent months.

Two of those candidates – Harrison Watt and Charlotte George – are also listed as Streets Alive Yarra stakeholders.

Yarra Residents Collective spokesman Adam Promnitz said council elections candidates should be able to stand without the fear of being the target with accusations from possible politically interest groups.

“Council elections should be freely open to any average resident who wants to stand without worrying about being personally targeted,” he said.