Father’s wisdom inspires candidate

Dawn Jecks credits her father as a key reason she chose to step into politics, with the Safety Bay resident set to contest the Federal seat of Brand as the Green Party’s candidate in next month’s election.

Having worked in mining and construction for 30 years, she first became interested in politics about a decade ago and has since represented the Greens unsuccessfully in previous elections.

“I have always had an interest in politics,” Ms Jecks said.

“I have always had a thing about fairness too. I remember when I was very small, my dad said to me ‘it doesn’t matter whether you are black, white or brindle, we are all created equal’.

“I can’t remember what prompted my dad to say that but given he was not one to say much, when he did speak, we would always listen.”

Ms Jecks’ first step towards politics came after she heard about the proposed Mangles Bay Marina project and looked to the Greens as a force of opposition to the plan.

“About 10 years ago, I heard about an outrageous plan to sell off and dig up public land in Point Peron Regional Parkland for a private canal housing estate and inland marina,” she said.

“Having worked in civil construction for the last 30 years, I could immediately see what an engineering disaster it would be for both ratepayers and WA taxpayers.

“I decided to seek out a political party with some integrity and fairness as part of their foundation principles. I checked out the Greens’ website and saw practical evidence-based policies — I was hooked.”

Ms Jecks has headed the Hands Off Point Peron group and believes a coastal park would be more beneficial for the region than the proposed Mangles Bay Marina.

“Tourism is one of the fastest-growing jobs sectors,” she said.

“As the leader of the Hands off Point Peron campaign, I know that the community-initiated Cape Peron Coastal Park plan has huge potential to boost local tourism dollars while protecting our natural assets and heritage.

“Our very own Kings Park of the South on Cape Peron is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Despite having the future of Point Peron still as a priority, Ms Jecks said she had a host of other issues that she would fight to move forward should she be elected.

“In Brand, we are at a critical time right now,” she said.

“I have seen firsthand the impact of resource boom and bust cycles on workers and small businesses. What we now urgently need to do is to create the jobs of the future.

“We can and must rebuild our manufacturing industries.

“It’s essential that we use our natural advantages in sun, wind and wave power to attract new energy-intensive and manufacturing industries to our region and the jobs they will bring.

“Housing affordability is an important issue impacting many of us in Brand. Everyone deserves an affordable home — it’s the Australian dream.”

Ms Jecks said voters could count on her to fight for what she believed in if elected.

“If something is wrong, unjust and against the public interest, I simply won’t give up,” she said.

“I have demonstrated this in my work as the driving force behind the campaign to save Point Peron.”