By Mikayla van Loon
Coldstream and Gruyere residents may want to know that Animal Justice Party member Jan Heald has put her hat in the ring for the seat of Evelyn, coming up against two fellow women at the November State election.
Coming from a background in customer service and public relations, Ms Heald said it has always been her volunteer work in environment, human and animal rights that has truly been her passion.
Ms Heald has been a member of the Animal Justice Party since its inception in 2009 but has had a long interest in politics.
“I now have the time to step up and nominate as a candidate,” she said.
“I have had an interest in politics since my late teens. It came from a strong sense of social justice including human rights, environmental protections and animal welfare.”
Having lived in the Evelyn electorate for 15 years, Ms Heald said one of the joys and benefits of the area is the native bushland.
“[I love] that I get to live amongst native bushland and share my home with the beautiful native flora and fauna of the area,” she said.
“An added bonus is residing not far from all other aspects and amenities that living in Victoria has to offer.”
But for Ms Heald, one of the biggest challenges facing the Evelyn district is the threat to this lush, native environment which is on the cusp of urban development.
“The area is at risk of losing its unique treed environment due to suburban sprawl and improper development. Evelyn provides a unique lifestyle to its community which must be protected.”
If elected as an MP in the State parliament, Ms Heald said one of her main priorities would be to end the culling of kangaroos.
“The one thing I would like to achieve is to end the commercial killing of kangaroos in Victoria. Kangaroos are a unique species only found in Australia and are represented on our Coat of Arms.
“The slaughter is a global embarrassment and is a vestige of colonialism that they are treated so badly in their native land.”
The “unfettered spending of money…by any type of government” is also something Ms Heald wants to reel in, saying “I will not see any reckless use of taxpayer money used for any project, infrastructure etc that is superfluous.”
Going into the election campaign and as a potential representative, Ms Heald said she would lead with “honesty and integrity”.
“As a prospective member of parliament, I believe an MP’s position is to serve all members of the Evelyn community and support local business,” she said.
“People who know me describe me as someone who walks the walk. I am a very focused person, dedication is in my DNA. We need passion, hope and kindness in our parliament.”
