A potential upper house replacement for Labor stalwart Alannah MacTiernan intends to take the role if offered, despite facing 43 charges for allegedly breaching a family violence restraining order.
Narrogin-based solicitor Ben Dawkins was fifth on WA Labor’s South West region ticket at the 2021 election and may find himself in the hot seat after MacTiernan retires early next year, but the charges add to an already turbulent time for the party, which is dealing with a CCC probe and impending factional plays for cabinet roles.
Lawyer Ben Dawkins says he will take Alannah MacTiernan’s seat if offered.Credit: LinkedIn
Dawkins faces 28 charges of breaching a family violence restraining order that will be heard at the Narrogin Courthouse on December 20.
A further 15 charges will be heard at Fremantle courthouse on January 17.
Bunbury signwriter John Mondy was fourth on the ticket and is next in line for a spot in the upper house but the small business owner could turn the role down. He declined to comment when approached by WAtoday.
Dawkins’ lawyer John Hammond said he would defend the charges that were related to the interpretation of a restraining order and did not relate to any acts of violence.
“Mr Dawkins is entitled to be presumed innocent until the hearing is held and Mr Dawkins says he’s got an excellent track record in the community in terms of taking on very worthwhile community causes,” he said.
Hammond confirmed that if the opportunity arose, Dawkins would take MacTiernan’s seat.
Dawkins works as a lawyer in Narrogin and in the past has worked at the Aboriginal Legal Service.
He tried unsuccessfully to be preselected for the federal seat of Forrest at the last federal election.
He was also unsuccessful in an attempt to overturn Labor’s preselection of Bronwen English in the Supreme Court.
Premier Mark McGowan’s office directed questions to WA Labor, which declined to comment.
The revelations come the day after Water and Forestry Minister Dave Kelly was booted from cabinet.
Kelly said he was asked to resign after six years in cabinet to make way for renewal and greater female representation.
A special caucus meeting will be held on Tuesday where nominations for replacements of Kelly and MacTiernan will be heard, and McGowan is expected to announce a new-look cabinet soon after.
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