In this episode, we talk to Mr John Carey MLA BA (Hons), State Member for Perth and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations, and; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport; Planning, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse.
Topics covered include:
- Changing people’s expectations around politics and bureaucracy
- The role of a Parliamentary secretary
- Density, population and urban sprawl in the Perth Metropolitan area and Western Australia
- The threat of climate change
- State-federal government relationships
- The role of small businesses in creating and maintaining the local community
- The disengagement of voters in the political agenda
- The benefits of political door-knocking
- Why politicians should show a more personal side
- Researching how to improve urban planning
- The need for politicians to stop playing into the stereotypes the public has
- The difficulty in finding middle ground with more extremist viewpoints in politics
- The benefits of referendums and community voice
- The importance of a strong free press
- Environmental advocacy in an urban setting
- Behind the scenes achievements in state government
- Direct engagement with voters
- State-local government relationships
- The need for voters to get involved
About Mr Carey:
In his professional career, John has worked as a journalist in print, radio and TV, as well as a parliamentary adviser to previous WA Premiers, Dr Geoff Gallop and Alan Carpenter. John then worked as a lobbyist for the Pew Environment Group, successfully advocating for the creation of a Great Kimberley Marine Park.
Elected as the Mayor of the City of Vincent in 2013 and again in 2015, he championed a significant reform program – ensuring the council became a leader in transparency and accountability standards in the local government sector, cutting red tape, and driving vibrant town centres and main streets. Now as the Member for Perth, he has additional responsibilities as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and the Minister for Transport and Planning. In his first year as the Member of Perth, he organised the Perth City Summit, attended by over 350 residents, small businesses and property owners, interested in driving renewal to make the City a better place to live, work and play.
