Behind the Name: Alisa Thaler Speaks Out #154

Interview with the wife of Andrew Thaler

Behind the Name: Alisa Thaler Speaks Out #154

Welcome to MonaroZone, where we cut through the noise and get to the real stories that matter to the people of the Monaro. Today, we're speaking with someone who’s no stranger to the region’s political landscape —Alisa Thaler, wife of Councillor Andrew Thaler.

Alisa has been a part of this community for years, though she’s often remained outside the public spotlight. Who is Alisa Thaler? Where did she come from, and what brought her to the Monaro? And perhaps more importantly, what does she see in Andrew? Why did she choose to marry a man who’s been at the center of so much controversy?

Andrew Thaler is a name that stirs strong opinions. His critics call him a misogynist, a troublemaker, even a menace. Some claim he has a history of bad behavior—allegations range from using strong language to outright accusations of violence. Others say he doesn't actually care about the causes he fights for. But how much of this is fact, and how much is fiction? Today, we’re asking the person who knows him best.

But beyond the controversy, there’s a bigger question: Why is so much attention being directed at Andrew Thaler when this region is dealing with serious, urgent issues? While people focus on attacking him, the Snowy Monaro struggles under real crises—

Over $1 million spent on strategic planning last year, yet Jindabyne residents are only now finding out their tip is full.
The Cooma water tank disaster—five years of silence, no real remediation, no inquiry into who made the calls.
The Michalago Road quarry—three years of toxic contamination and asbestos exposure with no public awareness.
The abandoned cleanup of Bumbalong Road and Colinton—five years and still nothing.

Why are these stories pushed aside while the focus remains on tearing down one man? And more importantly, what does Alisa think about all of this?