Whitsundays go Green

For Greens faithful Jonathon Dykyj, life’s looking pretty good.

Married just weeks ago to his sweetheart Kieren in an environmentally-friendly soirée on the outskirts of the Eungella National Park, the 28-year old Mackay man told the Guardian this week he has the full support of the party to run for the seat of Whitsunday in the next state election.

Some readers might remember him from last year’s federal election when he pitted himself against four other candidates including the outspoken mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council Mike Brunker and Mackay man George Christensen, but rather than excuse his decision to switch to state representation, he celebrates it.

“The Greens’ commitment to the future of Australia stretches across all levels of government. There are a lot of issues that cross over from federal to state and while there may be many good candidates who could run for the seat of Whitsunday, because of my work commitments I can give the campaign everything,” he said.

Mr Dykyj, who will be at the Airlie Beach markets this Saturday morning with a number the party faithful from Bowen, might have a certain glow about him which probably has a lot more to do with the news he will be a dad for the second time, rather than his exacerbation over trying to explain the Carbon Tax.

"Only days after we were married we found out we were expecting! So our two year old Esther will have a baby sister!" the happy father said.

But when asked about the possible competition for the seat of Whitsunday, Mr Dykyj warns voters should be worried about Katter’s Australian Party – calling it an ego-driven initiative.

“You vote for the party, not the person. It’s not too different to LNP’s Campbell Newman and how the party is so focused around his goals. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Kate Jones keeps her seat.  Who will make the decisions then?"

Singing straight to the heart of the Greens movement, the pair honeymooned at the Whitsunday Organic B&B, which they said was magical.