By Charlene Macaulay
A Caroline Springs nurse has put up her hand to contest the seat of Kororoit in November’s state election.
Shashi Turner, a mental health nurse at Sunshine Hospital, will stand as a candidate for the newly formed Voice for the West Party.
Kororoit, which includes Albanvale, Caroline Springs, Kings Park, Burnside, Cairnlea, Deer Park, Derrimut, Ravenhall, Mount Cottrell, Rockbank, Plumpton and part of Truganina, is held by Labor MP Marlene Kairouz.
Ms Turner, 60, was born in India and moved to Australia 30 years ago, living in Niddrie and Essendon before settling in Caroline Springs.
She speaks English, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.
She said public transport infrastructure, including a train station for Caroline Springs, health and a new public high school around Caroline Springs were the big issues facing the electorate.
“[I’m standing] mainly to have a voice in the west, where health, education and infrastructure is concerned,” Ms Turner said.
“There’s nobody, specifically nurses, in Parliament who has that personal experience.
“If you look at the health minister, he’s not a nurse, so he doesn’t know the issues. That’s what I’d like to stand up for to help the community.
“I have raised my family in this area and the time has come for ordinary residents to demand a better deal for the west.”
Dr Berhan Ahmed, who is leading the Voice for the West candidates, believes Ms Turner would need about 12 per cent of the primary vote to take the seat.
The state election will be held on Saturday, November 29.
