Former newsreader Goodrick to run as Julie Matheson for WA Party candidate at State Election

After reading stories on politics and politicians, Mr Goodrick has decided to run for Parliament and become one himself.

The former Channel 9 newsreader in Perth in the late ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s is standing as the Julie Matheson for WA Party candidate for the East Metropolitan region.

“East metropolitan is an area that I’ve been extremely familiar with since moving to WA in 1974,’’ he said.

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He has been involved in the Swan Chamber of Commerce and is on its board.

He is also involved with the Bassendean Bicentennial Committee, has hosted Carols by Candlelight and other events around Perth since the 1990s.

Mr Goodrick said there were issues he was concerned about in WA and supported changes to the Family Court and other institutions to allow both parents to see their children.

“It worries me that there are about 900,000 Australian children who only see one parent all year,” he said.

“No wonder we have a drug problem in Australia if children are denied access to both parents.”

Mr Goodrich said he was also concerned about the number of political promises made by the major parties that were broken.

“The inabilities to get answers from government departments, the GST debacle – all these issues need to be addressed to reduce WA’s $40 billion debt,” he said.

Mr Goodrick said he had been passionate about the tourism industry in WA for many years and the east metropolitan area in particular, having made programs on 70 WA country towns and several videos on the Swan Valley.

“We need to do something about violence, male suicide, planning approvals and the frustration of dealing with local councils and government departments who seem to want to stifle anyone with an idea,” he said.

Mr Goodrick said he was impressed with the Julie Matheson for WA Party when he interviewed her for a story.

Ms Matheson has previously stood for the Senate in WA and said communities across Perth were being “crushed by wall-to-wall developments” and increased traffic in quiet streets.

“The unfettered powers of the Development Assessment Panels, and politicians and their mates have to be challenged,” she said.

“This election we will campaign against this outrageous infill in established suburbs and bushland areas,” Mr Goodrick said.