Josh Last – Seat of Fremantle

Josh is a passionate advocate for social justice and a homegrown Fremantle musician. With a professional background in IT, he is now studying to be a primary school teacher.

“There is no need for poverty and a housing affordability crisis in Australia as corporations make record profits”, explains Josh.

Josh, who has worked in agriculture and seasonal tourism, led a successful campaign by the Australian Workers Union against multinational corporations in the ski industry. Seeing vulnerable workers face extreme housing insecurity in sub-zero temperatures, wages below the poverty line and abuse in the workplace; he was galvanised to fight for all workers.

“Our agricultural land and mineral assets are transformed by the labour of Australian workers into incredible wealth, so why aren’t our lives getting easier? Why don’t we have more time to relax, to spend with our friends and families? The wealth that we create is being stolen from us by corporations that pay little or no tax while our wages stagnate”.

Josh was drawn into activism for Palestine when the federal government cut funding to starving children in Palestine and our current MP disseminated misinformation about our bilateral military ties with Israel. “That’s why I want to be a teacher! Kids are bright, thoughtful and empathetic, and they put the adults to shame”, Josh added.

“We are at a turning point in our history. Are we going to let the Labor-Liberal duopoly enable war crimes? Does anyone really think it’s possible to combat the climate crisis if we let them waste hundreds of billions on AUKUS and try to provoke a war with China? The biggest threat to the well being of working people in this country does not come from across the oceans but from the boardrooms on St George’s Terrace”.

Josh’s optimism and faith in humanity gives him confidence that despite the challenges, we can build a better future together.