The Canning byelection was in full swing Saturday afternoon, when the prime minister Tony Abbott and Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie dropped in to the Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club.
Mr Abbott announced a $1 million government investment in the club's redevelopment.
"This is an investment in jobs, growth and the local community," Mr Abbott said.
"The investment of $1 million to expand the Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to building stronger communities and stronger local economies."
Mr Abbott said in recent years club members had contributed over 1,500 hours a year for volunteer beach patrols, took more than 350 preventative safety actions, and provided almost 40 first aid treatments to the more than 12,600 patrons at nearby Pyramids Beach.
Mr Hastie signed up as a member of the club today.
He pledged to continue the close relationship with the club that had been developed by Don Randall, who was the club's patron before his sudden death last month.
Mr Hastie said the Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club was the first club he had joined since leaving the army and moving to Dudley Park in Mandurah.
Earlier in the day, Mr Hastie defended his service record amid reports he commanded a unit that included a soldier who had been investigated for removing the hands from a dead Taliban fighter for identification purposes.
"This matter was dealt with by an Inquiry Officer’s inquiry and my actions at the time were appropriate," he said.
"The investigation was launched after the issue was raised up the chain of command — and it was raised by me."
Mr Hastie also defended the conduct of his troops.
"I can say with great confidence that those soldiers involved directly with the incident were acting in what they believed to be the appropriate process laid out by Defence," he said.
Mr Hastie said his troops were engaged in a high intensity, complex and dangerous battle.
"I have now left the Defence Force with a clean slate having defended our nation against the Taliban and Daesh," he said.
"I have not lived my life behind a desk pushing paper and talking about the concepts of freedom and democracy.
"I have acted.
"I have put my life on the line for this country, and for that freedom."
Mr Hastie also told Liberal Party faithful he was eager to start a new life out of military service.
"I have chosen to start my new life with my young family living in the electorate and I will strive to make Canning the best it can be," he said.
The Canning byelection will be held on September 19.
