Perth Voice Interactive

BRENT FLEETON, 28, will contest Bayswater’s north ward at next month’s council elections, bucking the trend of young people shunning local government service.

If elected the Maylands resident says he’ll seek to cut seniors’ rates another 25 per cent, cap rates rises at CPI and give eligible children $100 extra in the Kidsport program.

“I know a lot of seniors are doing it tough, and I think our council is in a good position to prioritise doing more for them,” he says.  “We shouldn’t be spending money on all sorts of arts projects when rates are consistently increasing over the rate of inflation.

“This really hurts people, especially when there are classic examples of waste, like the wooden art project at the bottom of the Seventh Avenue Bridge in Maylands.”

Fleeton is steeped in blue political blood and works as a researcher for Liberal MLC Peter Katsambanis. He has also equerried for Mt Lawley Liberal MP Michael Sutherland and worked on Steve Irons’ federal campaign. “I’m not running to play politics, I’m running to concentrate on helping those doing it tough and to bring some accountability to council,” he told the Voice.

“Party politics has nothing to do with my nomination—I want to serve my local community and to represent their interests.”

Mr Fleeton is up against incumbent Mike Anderton, a Labor party member and former industrial advocate.

Mr Fleeton ran for west ward in 2013 and came last, but says that run was a “knee-jerk” reaction to his house being burgled.

He’s more prepared this time and is in it to win it.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK