Transport among candidate’s priorities

Public transport, planning and employment are priorities for Labor candidate Reece Whitby should he be successful in winning the new seat of Baldivis in the next State election.

Party leader Mark McGowan endorsed the willing candidate to run for the seat last week.

Mr Whitby first met Mr McGowan almost 20 years ago when he was working as a journalist and has been on the Opposition Leader’s staff for the past three years in the media team.

He has twice run unsuccessfully for the seat of Morley in the past but told theSound Telegraph he had a number of priorities should he be elected this time around.

“I have a passion about planning and transport — I think they are key issues for this area,” Mr Whitby said.

“I know a lot of people have frustrations in Baldivis about the freeway and how quickly that fills up.

“Congestion, services, transport links, bus routes servicing new areas — I understand these issues and you have got to be able to integrate it all.”

Mr Whitby also said that helping to generate local employment was a priority for him should he be successful.

“You have got to broaden the economy, you have got to create more jobs close to where people live and that’s an issue that is on people’s minds,” he said.

Mr McGowan said he had every faith that his colleague would be an excellent member of Parliament.

“I wanted to ensure for the people of Baldivis that they had a hard worker and someone who knew how to get things done,” he said.

“I’ve seen Reece in action now for almost 20 years and I know he has a great work ethic and empathy and sympathy. He’s earned it.

“It’s very important for me if I’m fortunate enough to be elected premier next year to absolutely know that the electorate of Baldivis has the best representative possible — someone I can work with, trust and have faith in.”

Mr Whitby’s selection is a blow to Stephen Smith, who put forward a failed leadership coup and had identified the new seat of Baldivis as a way into WA State politics.