Kathleen Maltzahn

Human rights activist: At 22, I went to work in the Philippines. It changed my life. Inspired by amazing feminists, I learned first-hand about slavery. Then I returned to Melbourne and found that sexual slavery was happening here.

Propelled to act, I set up Project Respect, an organisation dedicated to challenging violence in the sex industry. In 2003, we spearheaded the successful national campaign that stopped trafficked women being automatically deported, got new laws and won police action.

I’m now on the Project Respect Committee of Management, working for more change. My book, Trafficked, explains slavery in Australia - I’ve linked to it and the recent Four Corners program on slavery below.

Greens Yarra Councillor (2004-2008): After many years lobbying government from outside, serving on Yarra Council taught me how to win change from within.

I felt incredible moved and proud watching the first couple – two gay fathers – sign Yarra’s relationship register, which I’d introduced. Another achievement I'm proud of will help council reach its zero emissions target sooner. It's a simple but effective mechanism - it guarantees funding for any energy saving initiative that can be paid back within ten years. I've included more about my roles on council at my LinkedIn page.

Community worker: I’ve been the interim Director of the East Timor Human Rights Centre, founding Director of Project Respect, Executive Director of Women’s Health In the North, and am now the Chair of the Eastern Metropolitan Region Family Violence Partnership. I know that community services are the backbone of our society, driving policy reform and empowering people doing it tough. I know too that community services are short of resources, and this hard working workforce is paid too little.

Proud Green: I’ve spent my life fighting for fairness for people – the Greens’ principles, policies and practice embody my commitment to doing what is right and fair.