An independent group has found its candidate for Nedlands in the upcoming state election, after being inspired by the 'teal' success with Kate Chaney.
An independent group has found its candidate for Nedlands in the upcoming state election, after being inspired by the 'teal' success with Kate Chaney.
Community group Nedlands Independent today announced City of Subiaco councillor Rosemarie de Vries will be running for the seat.
Ms de Vries was born in Subiaco and has been a councillor since 2019.
She will be up against army veteran Jonathan Huston, who is the Liberal party candidate for Nedlands, and Nationals WA candidate James McLagan, a sheep producer.
WA Labor is yet to announce its candidate for Nedlands, despite current MP Katrina Statton announcing she would be running for a seat in the upper house in the 2025 state election.
In August, Nedlands Independent announced its intention to search for a community candidate.
At the time, Nedlands Independent spokesperson Graham Crooke said the community had lost confidence in major parties' ability to represent the electorate on infill development, climate, healthcare and integrity in government.
“We’ve been inspired by the success of Kate Chaney and other community Independents at the last federal election," he said.
“So we decided to work to bring positive change at the state level as well.
"We are definitely not affiliated with, nor sponsored by any political party.
"We are joining with other like-minded citizens in Churchlands and Cottesloe, who are supporting independent candidates to drive positive and long over-due change in our state parliament.”
Ms Chaney was elected as member for Curtin to federal parliament in 2022, claiming victory over former Liberal MP Celia Hammond in the traditionally blue seat in Perth's western suburbs.
Her success was one of many in the wave of 'teal' independents picking up seats in formerly Liberal areas in the 2022 federal election.
In an announcement on social media, Ms de Vries said she was a committed advocate for the community.
"My husband and I live in Daglish and we have three wonderful adult children," she said.
"I stand for integrity. I believe the government must be honest and truthful with voters if we are to restore trust in our institutions.
"I stand for genuine consultation with our communities and will work collaboratively to develop science-led, evidence-based and sustainable solutions to the challenges that face us, and then work to implement those solutions in a thoughtful and timely way."
The 'independents' have started searching for candidates for Cottesloe and Churchlands, both traditionally blue seats.
