Former mayor Shane Van Styn to run as independent candidate in Geraldton

Former City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn confirmed his intention to run as an independent candidate for the seat of Geraldton at the March State election. Mr Van Styn has worn many hats during his life and will draw on that experience in the lead-up to the March poll. After missing out on Nationals preselection for the seat in March this year, he said he was throwing his hat back into the ring to stand up for local rights. “Not a day goes by where people haven’t asked me to run and offer their support because they are sick and tired of Labor taking away our rights and not caring about Geraldton,” he said. “We have seen Labor try and strip our lobster industry of its quota, strip us of our private property rights and totally remove regional representation from Parliament. “Even the hospital expansion project, which I welcome, will still leave us with a hospital with less beds than the one knocked down and replaced. “Quite frankly, enough is enough.” Mr Van Styn is no stranger to the political sphere, having previously run for the seat of Geraldton in 2013, as well as the Federal seat of Durack later that year, both times representing the Nationals. He also served as city mayor from 2015 to 2023, having the majority of first preference votes in last year’s local government election, but losing on preferences to Jerry Clune. Heading into another State election, but for the first time as an independent candidate, Mr Van Styn said his history would hold him in good stead as a representative for Geraldton. “Over the years as mayor, I’ve worked with all political parties of all persuasions in delivering for Geraldton, so I’m well known to all sides of the political spectrum, which makes me a unique independent,” he said. “What we need is a singularity of focus in Geraldton, on Geraldton. At the moment, with the Labor Party being the big united machine behind one or two leaders in Perth, the Liberal Party having fights inside Perth, Geraldton needs to get brought back to being on the agenda.” Whether liked or not by the general population, Mr Van Styn’s presence within the community cannot be understated, amassing more than 9000 Facebook followers. According to Facebook, his following is double that of Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton. Mr Van Styn said his popularity, positive or negative, was an advantage. “When people refer to me as polarising at times, because I stand for something and I have conviction, I don’t just flop around with the wind,” he said. “As an independent, you don’t have the financial resources of large, centralised campaigns, but I do have the image of not having to promote an awareness of who I am.” Mr Van Styn said he would be financing his own campaign. One factor weighing against Mr Van Styn is how the people within Geraldton have voted in the past. Not since 1900 has the Geraldton seat gone to an independent candidate. Mr Van Styn conceded it would be a challenge, but felt his influence could help. “It’s an absolute uphill battle. It’s crystal clear, we’re going to need to see a swing from Lara in the order of about 15 per cent, that would then throw me into the mix with the Liberals and Nationals,” he said. “If I can poll my numbers that I’ve pulled before in elections, I’m in good stead to give it a shake.” In his mayoral role, Mr Van Styn has previously represented the region, being a voice on a number of topics including the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, cyclone Seroja and seven-day trading. His campaign is set to coincide with the birth of his and wife Jazzyln Leonard’s first child due this month. Mr Van Styn said he had the support of his wife and family, who are on board to help their newborn while in campaign mode. He said curbing crime and putting Geraldton front of mind were among his highest priorities. But to see change he believed the region, and wider WA, needed to cause change. “We need to get rid of this arrogant, anti-regions Government that is the WA Labor Party. We need to be resolute in that,” he said. Besides Ms Dalton as the Labor incumbent, Mr Van Styn is up against Nationals candidate Kirrilee Warr and Liberal candidate Tim Milnes.