Canning Labor candidate Mellisa Teede pushes education, literacy

LITERACY, language and education is Mellisa Teede’s “big thing.”

The former Peel Development Commission chief executive and teacher is the Labor candidate for the Federal seat of Canning and says she stands firmly behind the need for a tertiary education hub in Mandurah, jobs, trades training and help for older women.

The single mum and eldest of five said she had few opportunities and was brought up to value compassion and looking out for other people.

“Mum instilled inspiration and confidence in us and I’ve had the most amazing career,’’ she said.

Teede arrived at university as a mature age student and first taught at Armadale Primary School.

She later taught at Williams District High School for two years and was acting principal at Westonia Primary School.

“I was the first female teacher at Westonia but some people struggled with the idea,’’ she said.

Teede said people told her they expected their politicians to be prepared to “do stuff.”

As PDC chief executive, she led the team in presenting a business case for the Peel Business Park.

She was also instrumental in getting the new Mandurah Bridge built.

“There is much the Canning electorate deserves,’’ she said.

“There’s a big gap in education and training.

“I’ve lived a pretty broad life and know about providing opportunities for the whole community.”

She wants to see more money spent in Canning on those who don’t have the means to get to hospital in non-emergency cases but need immediate support and more serious investment in jobs creation and skills programs.

“Labor can deliver on that,’’ she said.

She said she was also very concerned about older women.

“The figures are alarming; mums and nannas in their 60s who can’t get a job or pension, have little or no superannuation and end up homeless,” she said.

Teede also wants to keep the pension age at 67.

She has been married for 20 years to local identity Mark Teede and they have four children and 10 grandchildren between them.