Denmark’s Jane Kelsbie brings life experience to politics as she delivers first speech as Warren-Blackwood MP

Denmark MP Jane Kelsbie has described how she was endorsed six weeks before polling day, with her campaign running on a “shoestring budget” in her first speech in State Parliament. The Labor underdog caused one of the biggest upsets of the March State election, claiming an 11.8 per cent first-preference swing to topple veteran Warren-Blackwood MP Terry Redman, turning the conservative seat red for the first time in 32 years. Addressing Parliament last Thursday, Ms Kelsbie said she was proud and humbled to be the first woman representing Warren- Blackwood among a record number of female MPs. “As we celebrate 100 years since Edith Cowan was elected as the first female representative in the WA Parliament ... I stand here today surrounded by incredibly strong women — women who also put their hands up to represent and make a difference in their respective electorates,” she said. Ms Kelsbie acknowledged her unconventional path to election victory, being endorsed in February with a campaign team of two — herself and South West MLC Jackie Jarvis. “I phoned my dad to seek his advice. He confirmed what I had already told myself: opportunities like this do not come around very often, if it all,” she said. “He said ‘You know I’ve always been a Liberal’. “I rolled my eyes. He then told me that for the first time in his life he was going to vote Labor, and I smiled. “I am stoked to say that the people of Warren–Blackwood stood up. “They spoke up and they spoke up loudly, saying that they were ready for change.” Before making the switch to politics, Ms Kelsbie had a diverse 35-year career, most recently working as the chief executive of Albany-based training and employment not-for-profit organisation Worklink WA. With no formal qualifications, Ms Kelsbie said she had received priceless on-the job training, from flipping burgers at a beach kiosk to an entertainment editor in London, WA Country Health Service manager, and a producer at the BBC. “You could say that I have been training all my life to serve the people of Warren–Blackwood,” she said. She made it clear her time helping young people reach their potential would not end with Worklink, and would be a driving force over her next four years in Parliament. Local child care, investment in mental health services, education and training were among her priorities, she said. “Education and training are a priority — where we look to balance economic growth with environmental security, and where we invest in farming in an electorate where different voices are heard, respected and represented,” she said. In closing, Ms Kelsbie spoke about her love of the ocean, guided by her years as a volunteer surf life saver. “I liken my passion for ocean swimming and the rough-and-tumble of Ocean Beach with politics,” she said, “Some days, the sun is shining and the water is crystal-clear and bright blue, while on other days, it is grey and rough and there are stingers out there. As we say in my swimming group, “just keep swimming”. “I intend to do that — not only keep swimming, but roll with the ebbs and flows and ride the waves of success, too, as they happen. “The thing I will leave members with is that I do not rock the boat until the boat actually needs rocking.”