Political party launches the iSenator - Bigpond News

12 July 2010

Senator Online, Australia's first internet-based political party, announced it has secured its first Senate candidate for the upcoming federal election. Wes Bas, a police officer from Surry Hills in Sydney, was selected as Senator Online's New South Wales candidate following a successful online campaign, which spanned across both Facebook and Twitter. In a statement released on Monday, Senator Online founder Berge Der Sarkissian said that Bas was chosen as a result of his passion for local issues and his commitment to the community. 'Wes exemplifies the type of candidate we would like to see in the Senate,' Der Sarkissian said. 'In addition to serving as a member of our Police Force since 2002, Wes has demonstrated a strong sense of community in his volunteer work, which includes being a cadet instructor and sitting on a Board of Directors for a charity.' Mr Bas, who has served as a police officer for eight years in both central and regional NSW, says that his interest politics emerged from wanting to ensure that all Australians have their voice heard in the federal political system. 'I see my involvement in Senator Online as my opportunity to be a vehicle for Australians to voice their opinions on Government policy and direction,' Mr Bas said. 'Independent Senators like Nick Xenophon have proven how effective individual voices can be in the Senate. My role is a consultative one - it's about knowing what Australians believe and want done, and acting accordingly to be their voice.'