2021-06-25
This year was a tough one in WA, where we lost all sitting Greens members of Parliament at the March state election – but picked up a new one. In this latest installment of our series that introduces our newest MPs, we speak to WA’s newest member of parliament and former fremantle/Walyalup mayor Brad Pettitt.
1. What do you remember about your first election?
Riverton in 1996. A tough gig, but made fun by good people.
Riverton has been a key marginal seat and a key battleground over the fight between those who wanted Roe 8 and those who wanted to protect the Beeliar Wetlands. Not always easy door-knocking for a Green.
2. Endangered Australian animal that's captured your heart?
Red-tailed cockatoo. These magnificent birds only exist in the south-west corner of WA. They’re regular visitors to my neighborhood which is beautiful, noisy and dramatic but also tinged with sadness that they have to come so far to forage for food.
3. What’s your precious place and why?
Leighton Beach. Wild and big. Land's edge to the Indian Ocean.
4. Favourite Greens policy?
Climate change. We are the only party grasping the enormity of the challenge ahead.
5. Best part of your work with the Greens?
Sharing our policies in the WA Parliament.
6. What keeps you going?
The truth (and my three-year-old daughter).
7. Favourite political song?
The Dead Heart by Midnight Oil.
8. Who inspires you? Why?
Bob Brown. He embodies smart, compassionate, gentle and thoughtful leadership.
9. Comfort food?
Chocolate.
10. What would you spend $20 billion on?
Making Australia's energy grid zero carbon. I wouldn't need all that, so would then use the rest to help our neighbours do the same.
11. Secret vice?
I like cars (even though I think cities should largely design them out).
12. Best coffee/drink in town?
I'm from Freo – too many good choices!
13. Three apps you can’t live without?
Maps, ABC Listen, and Twitter.
14. What did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut!
15. Morning run or night time swim?
Morning run.
16. What’s your greatest hope for the future?
Young people pushing for change.
17. Magic wand to solve one world problem — what would it be?
Rid the world of HIV AIDS.
18. What advice would you give a new volunteer?
Say yes to everything!
19. You can travel through time – where do you go?
Into the future about 70 years. I want to know if we managed to make the transition to a low carbon economy quickly enough. I hope I find a habitable and just world. It is possible but not certain.
20. If you weren’t doing this for a living, what would you be doing?
Writing a book.