Former Upper House politician and current Albany councillor Lynn MacLaren runs with Greens for Albany seat

Former member of the WA Legislative Council and current Albany councillor Lynn MacLaren has joined the race for the Albany State seat, throwing her hat in as the Greens’ candidate.

Ms MacLaren announced her candidacy on Wednesday at a launch party and detailed a platform of environmental advocacy, careful urban planning to address the growing city’s needs, and inclusivity.

The Colorado-born politician first served as MLC for the South Metropolitan region in 2005, and then again from 2009-2017.

Among her achievements in her eight years in Parliament was drafting five private Bills — one being the 2012 Climate Change Readiness Bill to help guide coastal planning that was the first climate change legislation in WA.

In her role as a councillor, she serves on the South Coast Alliance, the WA Local Government Association Great Southern Zone, and the Development Assessment panel .

As an Albany resident, she is involved with the Friends of Yakamia Boodja group, Albany Port Rotary, Soroptomists, Cinefest, the Albany Bird Group, and she is a co-convenor of the Albany Community Environment Centre.

Ms MacLaren said she hoped to speak for the diverse range of voices in the Albany community and she would be proud to advocate for a region that “supports its most vulnerable”.

“Albany will and can get behind you if you’re a voice for inclusivity, respect and kindness,” she said.

“The fact that Albany supports its own hospice and has done for years, and takes up initiatives for homelessness and other mental health programs, is great.

“Albany is prepared to mobilise and do what it can for the community, and that community would be well served by someone who speaks up for the vulnerable and those with a bit of kindness.”

Ms Maclaren will face a battle against Rebecca Stephens (Labor), Thomas Brough (Liberals), Scott Leary (Nationals) and Gerrit Ballast (Australian Christians) for the Albany seat.

She stepped in as a last-minute replacement for former North Metropolitan region MLC Giz Watson, who was the initial Albany candidate for the Greens.