SHALOM House founder Peter Lyndon-James isn’t leaving any skeletons in the closet as he launches a Gofundme page to help raise $250,000 in a bid to win a Senate seat in the Federal Election.
The City of Swan councillor said he wanted to bring back honesty, transparency, accountability and integrity into the hallways of Parliament House.
“I have nothing to hide,” he said.
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READ NOW“I have spent 26 years of my life in and out of jails and institutions starting from the age of nine and had a criminal record longer than most.
“I have slept with hundreds of prostitutes behind my wife’s back as well as with many other women.
“I have done all of the above and more. If it’s not on there I have probably done it.”
Mr Lyndon-James apologised to any victims of his life choices but said he was a changed man.
“That person is not me anymore, that old person is dead, that’s the old me,” he said.
“Today I really care about people.
“All I can say is that if you are a victim of my life or my choices, if you are a victim of my selfishness and stupidity, I am so very, very sorry.
“All I can do is take ownership of my mistakes and try my best not to do it again.”
Mr Lyndon-James said he wanted to run for Parliament because the political system needed to change.
“We need total reform across all levels of our government,” he said.
“We have written ourselves so deep into a corner where common sense has gone out the window and we are elevating the policies, procedures, rules, acts, guidelines and codes of conduct above human lives.
“I am sick of seeing families suffer for the lack of genuineness and sincerity from politicians and other leaders of our day who are one thing in front of a camera and another when the media and cameras are not around.”
Last night Mr Lyndon-James took to Facebook to talk about the financial operations of the group following questions from Community News regarding an independent review of the financial records of Shalom House.
“Shalom also has an external auditor, Ernst and Young, who goes over all our books twice per year to ensure we are using our funds wisely and that every dollar including our systems of operating are correct and all money is accounted for,” he posted.
“I welcome any individual or organisation to look at our books and ask any questions with regards to myself or Shalom, Shalom Works or anything else that I may put my hand to and you will see that no flies can land on me, we are honest, accountable and transparent in all we do.”
Mr Lyndon-James said he would step aside from running Shalom House, which is expected to grow from 140 men to 200 in the next six months.
“Shalom House is at the point where I can now step aside and do what I know in my heart that I am called to do,” he said.
“I have learned a great deal in the last eight years in running Shalom House, sitting on council, dealing with politicians from all parties and I know that we need change.
“Our political system needs serious reform.”