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Meet the 26yo heavy-metal fan who holds the balance of power in the WA Parliament

Headshot of Dylan Caporn
Dylan CapornThe West Australian
New MLC Aaron Stonehouse
Camera IconNew MLC Aaron Stonehouse Credit: Supplied

He is the 26-year-old heavy-metal fan who has gone from working in a call centre to holding the balance of power in State Parliament.

But ask Aaron Stonehouse, the new Liberal Democrat for the South Metropolitan Region, what his policies are and you are unlikely to get any answers.

Mr Stonehouse will take his $156,000 a year job in the Legislative Council from May 22.

The State’s youngest MP has gone into hiding since his election, rejecting all requests for an interview.

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Instead, Federal Senator David Leyonhjelm’s office has acted as a go-between, asking for questions to be emailed and sending a brief biography of the MP which reads more like a dating profile.

“A single man, he enjoys kayaking around Warnbro Sound and Shoalwater when time permits, and is a recreational shooter,” the profile read.

“Aaron enjoys heavy metal and attends gigs in Perth when he can.”

“Aaron supports the small government ethos of the Liberal Democrats which means he will never vote for an increase in taxes or a reduction in liberty.”

A Google search turns up no results before Mr Stonehouse’s election, and his Facebook profile was created after the March 11 result.

Further digging finds a congratulatory message for Aaron from his mother, Sylvia, on the social network.

“Congratulations to Aaron my 6th son NEW MEMBER for SOUTH METRO in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL of Western Australian PARLIAMENT!!! Love you son, and so proud of your achievement,” she wrote.

And it appears Mr Stonehouse isn’t the only wannabe politician in the family.

His mother ran against Mark McGowan in the seat of Rockingham for the Australian Christians at the election.

Ms Stonehouse placed the new Premier second last on her how-to-vote card.

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