Over the next two weeks the Mail will be profiling each of the Forrest candidates running for a seat in the federal election on Saturday, May 18.
Wayne Sanford will be running for the Australian Labor Party.
Mr Sanford was born in Collie and has spent the vast majority of his life in the town. He and his wife Mary chose it as the place to make their home and raise their three children.
Throughout his working life, Wayne was an electrical/instrument fitter. He worked in the coal industry and is now committed to ensuring there is a just transition for workers in the sector and the community as we move towards a future dominated by renewable energy.
Wayne spent more than a decade as an elected member of the Shire of Collie, and much of that time as Shire President.
He was the President of the South West Zone of the Western Australian Local Government Association and a member of the South West Development Commission Board.
These community leadership roles have afforded Wayne a deep understanding of the people and the communities of the South-West.
"For communities in Forrest to thrive we need improved access to health care, better education, training opportunities that encourage young people to stay in the region, real action on climate change to protect our unique south west environment and well paid secure jobs.
"The Labor Party has policies that will deliver these outcomes.
"As a safe Liberal seat, the infrastructure needs of Forrest have been overlooked for far too long.
"We have significant road issues, mobile phone blackspots and our regional hospital now struggles to meet the needs of our community. We are fortunate many of these issues are being addressed by the State Labor Government but for too long they have been left to do the heavy lifting alone.
"I look forward to being a strong voice for Forrest and making sure, for the first time in decades, we have a Federal Government that recognises the value of our region.
"Time and again people tell me jobs are their biggest concern, both the security of current employment and the need to create the jobs of the future. Tied in with this are the concerns the community has about the cost of living.
"A Shorten Labor Government will deliver a fairer tax system to leave more money in the pockets of low and middle income earners. By closing the tax loopholes for the top end of town we will ensure the funds are available to improve our services.
"The investment a Shorten Labor Government will make in our community will mean we have better access to more services.
"I want to be a part of the Labor team that is united and ready to govern. If I am elected I will be part of a team that is committed to working together to get the best outcomes for our communities."
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