The Sunday Interview: Liberal candidate for Curtin Tom White on how he can win crucial Federal Election seat

Ahead of two elections this year, political editor Joe Spagnolo speaks to key figures in the State and Federal races. This week, Liberal candidate for the Federal seat of Curtin, Tom White. The Liberals have identified Curtin as a must-win seat this Federal Election. How are you coping with being the political white knight? I’m working very hard. We are going to leave no stone unturned to win the seat. We knocked on 1000 doors the last weekend before Christmas. Would I rather be in a seat that’s irrelevant, or would I rather be at the centre of the action where it actually matters what I do and what my team does? I’d rather be in the thick of the action where it matters. Yes, it comes with a bit of pressure. Every time Peter (Dutton) stands up in Perth and says ‘we must win Curtin’, my heart rate goes up. People either seem to love — or dare I say it, loathe — your independent opponent Kate Chaney. On the hustings, what are people telling you about her? There was a lot of fanfare, a great weight of expectation was placed on the Teals. But there is a shrug of the shoulders (from people I doorknock) that indicates that there has been a lack of delivery (by Chaney). People are not quite sure that what they’ve had in the past two years has met with the reality of the fanfare that was generated at the time. Chaney has the benefit of incumbency. Why do you think you can win? Incumbency is only a benefit if you have a record of delivering tangible outcomes for your community. This is especially true in Curtin, where in the past we’ve benefited from local members who had serious influence and actually delivered. Kate Chaney seems like a well-intentioned person, but with so many serious challenges facing us locally and nationally, people need a lot more than good intentions. I will be a strong local voice inside a team that has a plan to get Australia back on track. It may happen, or it may not happen. In the past, when it has happened, it hasn’t been a recipe for stability and progress, it’s been a recipe for chaos. And so I’m not sure I’d be drawing attention to that, if I were her. Your political ambitions? Politics is a game of snakes and ladders. But I didn’t quit my job to be a backbencher for the rest of my life. Anyone who goes into politics should have the greatest possible impact. Step one is to be elected. It is well known that prior to being a candidate in Curtin, you had senior positions with Uber in Seoul, Vietnam, and Japan. What is the biggest lesson you learnt from your time spent overseas? Having lived overseas for many years, I think I’ve got a much broader perspective on humanity, in human nature and culture. Your grandfather, Don Smith, was a former editor of The Sunday Times and The West Australian. He recently passed away. Were you close to him? He’s probably the single biggest influence in my life. He was my hero. We lost him eight weeks ago. He was 92. He had a 50-year career in journalism. He was a larrikin, but a professional — respected and admired by so many people. Most of all, by me. Other influences? Mum (Deanne) and Dad (John) split up when I was very young. In a sense I feel lucky because they still have a great relationship. I grew up with two father figures in my life. My stepfather (Ash) is a wonderfully generous and great guy, and so is Dad. You are one of three siblings — a brother Nick and sister Rosie. You and your brother are twins. Which sibling is the favourite? Mum likes to call Nick the underdog, which makes me think she has a soft spot for him. I’m not sure why. Maybe because he was born 10 minutes later than me. Got a partner? Tragically single, but doorknocking. I hear you are one of those crazy people who run marathons. I have run marathons in Kyoto, Singapore and in Seoul. Each marathon has taught me about discipline, focus and resilience. My first marathon was an absolute, bloody nightmare. I’m not an emotional person, but I literally cried. I had all sorts of injuries and pain, but I pushed through it. You hold a Bachelor of Economics from UWA and an MBA from the University of Chicago. But you are currently enrolled part-time in the ethics of artificial intelligence at Cambridge University. What got you interested in AI? I’m doing it because it’s a fascinating topic, but also because whether we like it or not, this technology is going to radically change society. Politicians need to be ahead of the curve. That’s one thing I want to bring to the party room in Canberra. What are peoples’ view on Peter Dutton when you go doorknocking? I think people are warming to him, and they understand that the times and the circumstances Australia is in, suit him. Do you agree with Dutton’s desire to build a nuclear power station in Collie? I do. Australia needs to have reliable power. What’s happening in Victoria is a preview of what might happen if we don’t take care of the energy grid here as well. I am not anti-renewables. But most importantly for WA, we also need gas. We are a gas-rich State. We should be encouraging more investment in gas exploration. I think the right mix is gas, renewables (and) nuclear. Do you believe in climate change? Of course. We need to be more optimistic, particularly on technology, and address it in a rational way. What’s the No.1 election issue in Curtin? Cost of living, by far — mortgage stress and groceries. Curtin is a massive electorate. It’s diverse. There is a lazy assumption (that) Curtin is just a leafy, green, electorate where people aren’t thinking about fundamental needs. That could not be further from the truth. Peter Dutton says that if elected PM, he will reverse Labor’s decision on stopping the live sheep trade. Has this issue come up in Curtin? It comes up a lot. There are a lot of retired farmers living in Curtin. Have you spoken to Julie Bishop, who held Curtin for many years? And if so, what’s her advice? I’ve had a few conversations with Julie. She says all politics is local and whether or not you win Curtin is determined by how well you appeal to the hopes and aspirations of people in Curtin. Her advice is run a Curtin-specific campaign.