Jazz singer disenchanted with ‘complacent’ Labor to run for the Belco Party

A jazz and blues singer who says Labor has forgotten about the outer suburbs will stand as a candidate for the Belco Party at the ACT election in October 2024.

Angela Lount, 50, can be seen performing at Queenies Bar in Kingston every Friday night but will now take the campaign stage in the Belconnen-centred seat of Ginnindera.

“When I was growing up, the Liberals always looked after the rich people and Labor looked after the poor people, but it seems to me that the Labor Party have forgotten about that and only look after themselves,” she said.

Ms Lount is a Tongan-origin mother of four who grew up in Belconnen and has lived in Canberra all her life. She says she voted Labor until the 2020 election when she stood as a Belco candidate for the first time.

“I think 23 years in power is too long. They’ve become too complacent. They’ve forgotten about the battlers.

“The government are looking at extending the tram to Woden, but Belconnen is so left behind. I’m not too sure what this additional tramline is going to achieve in terms of easing traffic, but it’s going to put us in a lot of debt … I feel the Belco Party has the community alignment Labor has lost.

“People need to look at having an independent voice to keep the government in check.”

A future in politics didn’t seem likely for Ms Lount when she was growing up.

“I was 14 when I told my Dad I wanted to be a singer. He said it was the hardest job in the world, but I thought I’d go for it, and I ended up joining the Woden Valley Choir,” she said.

Motherhood put her singing career on hold for several years, but a chance meeting revived it.

“I met a lady through pre-school who was a singer. I sang at a backyard party and they said, ‘Oh, wow, you can sing’, so I ended up getting a few gigs and started my own corporate band before moving into jazz and blues, as that’s my passion,” she said.

“The live music scene has suffered immensely [since COVID]. Coming out of it, restaurant and bar owners don’t have the support.

“I’m fortunate to have my regular Friday night gig at Queenies, which I love.”

Belco Party leader Bill Stefaniak welcomed her into the fold.

“Angela is a highly practical, sensible, pleasant and experienced lady with huge doses of commonsense and life experience,” he said.

“Angela would make a great member for Ginninderra, and it’s unfortunate that due to family and work reasons, she has not been able to put her hand up until now.”

Mr Stefaniak has announced former jockey and racing advocate Greg Burke will also stand for his party in the seat of Yerrabi, which covers Gungahlin.

“Greg grew up and was educated in Cessnock before taking the opportunity in the late 1980s to make the move to Canberra, where he runs a successful jockey management business,” he said.

“Greg is passionate about ensuring the ACT Greens don’t destroy racing in Canberra and is very supportive of the local racing club’s plans for Thoroughbred Park.

“He has seen firsthand the issues that impact the residents of Yerrabi the most; for instance, the cost of living, law and order, basic maintenance of suburban infrastructure (roads, potholes, grass cutting), as well as energy.

“If elected, he’ll be a tough little battler for his local community.”

The Belco Party was established by former Liberal Party leader Mr Stefaniak just before the 2020 election. It received 9.4 per cent of the vote in Ginnindera and is looking to run candidates in other seats at the upcoming election.