Jim Reiher is the Victorian Greens multicultural affairs and religion spokesperson. The lead candidate for the Greens in the South Eastern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Upper House, Jim lives in Harkaway, a small community in the east of the region. He is married with four adult children in their 20’s and four grandchildren.

Jim Reiher is a theology lecturer and his personal world view is straightforward. “Live and let live. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and lifestyle. And while people are not hurting anyone else, I am committed to protecting their rights to be who they want to be,”

Before moving to Harkaway eleven years ago, Jim was an ambulance officer, and then a high school teacher. For the last twelve years he has been a lecturer in theology and world religions.

In addition to his career in lecturing, Jim is also an author and has published two books. The Eye of the Needle: Discipleship and Wealth (Urban Neighbours of Hope, 2005) questions the church's easy acceptance of materialism and wealth, and encourages reflection upon what is really important in life. Women, Leadership and the Church (Acorn Press, 2006), calls for church communities to accept women into all levels of leadership and not to discriminate against women and their gifts and talents.

Jim Reiher has served on local community groups, including the Casey "Living in Harmony" committee, that brought together members of the community to promote a healthy multiculturalism in a tolerant and peaceful context. Jim is also involved with the Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH), a group that works with the poorest of the poor in Springvale and Noble Park.

Jim wants wise conservation policies implemented in Victoria, alongside a commitment to fair and sensible development. Jim will work for better and more reliable public transport, less pollution and immediate action on climate change. "The stress on families caused by petrol price rises and by the changes in the industrial laws must be faced by Victoria's politicians,' says Jim. "The Greens in parliament will do this. We will also work for honesty and transparency in government."

Jim Reiher is the Victorian Greens' spokesperson for Religion and Multicultural Affairs, Justice and Civil Liberties, Youth and Urban Poverty.

To contact Jim Reiher, please send an e-mail to jimreiher@vic.greens.org.au or call 0425 752 358.

The South East Metropolitan Region covers an area from Glen Waverley, Dandenong North and Clayton in the north to Frankston South and Cranbourne East in the south, and from Cheltenham, Mordialloc and Chelsea in the west to Berwick and Harkaway in the east.

For more information on the new electoral system for the Upper House, visit the Victorian Electoral Commission's website: http://www.vec.vic.gov.au

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