Melbourne – Ananta Paudel, a Nepali migrant and community leader, has officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming Hume City Council elections in Mount Ridley Ward. Paudel is one of seven candidates contesting the local election, which will take place from October 8 to 25, offering a four-year term on the council.

Paudel, who works in aged care, has been an active figure in Melbourne’s Nepali community. He serves as the Joint Secretary of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre and advisor to multiple Nepali organizations, including Cragieburn Nepali Samaj, Chitwan Samaj, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Victoria, and the Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV). He also founded Chitwan Samaj, a prominent Nepali community group in Victoria.

In a bold move, Paudel decided to run for local office despite the trend of many Nepali migrants focusing on politics back in Nepal and is a supporter of Labor Party Australia. Addressing this shift, he said, “Traditionally, Nepali people living in Australia still tend to focus on Nepali politics. However, since we are living in Australia, it’s important to be involved in Australian politics. Our future is here, and we need to ensure our voices are heard in the local community.”

Paudel’s campaign is centered around key issues such as health, the environment, and community empowerment. His platform includes proposals to reduce long wait times for medical appointments, address the availability of essential medicines, and create more affordable childcare centers to support women returning to the workforce after childbirth. He also advocates for stricter penalties for public waste disposal offenders and increased police patrolling to improve local safety.

“I want to create a bridge between the Australian and Nepali communities, focusing on the needs of both in our multicultural society,” Paudel told Connect Nepali Media.

He has also committed to visiting all eligible voters before the election and is receiving strong support from the local Nepali community.

If elected, Paudel hopes to address rising council rates, improve waste management, and tackle issues around public safety, in addition to empowering women and families through better childcare services. “We need to make sure that every community feels represented and has access to the services they need,” Paudel added.