The Greens have selected Donnybrook resident Jill Reading to contest the seat of Forrest in the 2016 federal election.
Dr Reading, a former educator, farmer and health sector public servant said she felt fortunate to be endorsed in an ‘unwinnable’ seat.
“I’m standing against a highly-regarded and competent incumbent,” she said.
“But the issue of climate change and the possibility of widespread fracking is feeding a growing discomfort in this electorate.
“Grandparents like me are deeply concerned about handing on an attractive, liveable environment, an economy that supplies meaningful jobs and a place where everyone can get affordable housing.”
Dr Reading, who taught English in high schools and lectured at Edith Cowan University South West said The Greens have visionary policies based on long-established principles
Her campaign will emphasise the rapid growth of the renewable energy economy and its capacity to generate jobs, the protection of prime agricultural land from extractive industries, increased food security and the public ownership of major water supplies.
“I will be advocating for the preservation of native forests from logging, the integration of Aboriginal wisdom in economic and environmental practices and a fairer taxation system,” she said.
“I will also advocate strongly against the cruel asylum seeker policies for those many of us so profoundly distressed by them.”
