Jack Wilkie-Jans is youthful face of a council candidate
HE'S not old enough to hold an open driver's licence, but 19-year-old Jack Andrew Wilkie-Jans thinks he has what it takes to shape the future of Cairns from the frontline.
The arts project officer has thrown his hat in the ring to run in the Cairns Regional Council election as a candidate for Division 9, taking on Sno Bonneau, who currently holds the seat.
The Kewarra Beach resident hopes to follow in the footsteps of outgoing Division 4 councillor Kirsten Lesina and 22-year-old Federal Member for Longman Wyatt Roy, and prove age is no barrier in politics.
"The age thing is bound to be a problem for some people, but if not now, then when?" Mr Wilkie-Jans said. "It can work if that young person in particular is a forward thinker, and I would like to think I am a forward
thinker."
thinker."
Born and bred in Cairns, Mr Wilkie-Jans said if he was voted in he would tackle vandalism, poor street lighting in Smithfield and Trinity Park and the lack of activities available to young
people in the outer suburbs.
people in the outer suburbs.
As an indigenous Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues are also at the top of his agenda. "Whenever it comes to indigenous issues, the solutions are never made by those people," he said.
The independent candidate said he would like to help find a solution to problems with homeless indigenous people at Chinaman Creek.
The Cairns Regional Council election will be held on March 31, and nominations will not officially open until next year.
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