Jessica Shaw addresses the crowd with fellow panel members Matthew Hughes, Dave Kelly, Mark McGowan and Margaret Quirk.
Camera IconJessica Shaw addresses the crowd with fellow panel members Matthew Hughes, Dave Kelly, Mark McGowan and Margaret Quirk. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Labor candidates for Swan Hills and Kalamunda face residents at community forum

Lynn GriersonHills Avon Valley Gazette

RESIDENTS turned out in force at a community forum on Monday to have their say on issues important to them in the lead up to the State Election.

More than 80 people attended the Mt Helena event hosted by Labor candidates Jessica Shaw for Swan Hills and Matthew Hughes for Kalamunda.

Ms Shaw said rural emergency support was a key topic.

“Obviously bushfire management is a very important issue here in the hills, so there was discussion around this and WA Labor’s stance on a rural fire brigade.”

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Other issues raised were lack of public transport, rising crime figures and the meth crisis, and locals made clear their opposition to fracking.

Kalamunda prospect Matthew Hughes said locals raised the need for more local jobs and apprenticeships several times.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan joined the two candidates on the panel, along with Labor’s Emergency Services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk, and Water and Youth spokesman Dave Kelly.