Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten and Labor Canning candidate Matt Keogh campaigned in Mandurah on Friday afternoon, promising $10 million for new car park facilities at Mandurah Station.
Mr Keogh said 300 additional car parks would be made available for commuters with an additional commitment of $10 million from the state government.
Mr Keogh said the Abbott and Barnett governments had abandoned public transport in Mandurah.
“Anyone who uses this train station knows that by 8am you can't find a car park and for many of our seniors who want to be able to use the trains after 9am, it makes it very difficult for them to be able to catch a train at all,” Mr Keogh said.
“People want to know they can get access to public transport and having a car park that fills up makes that very difficult.”
Mr Shorten, who supported the announcement, said a commitment to building more car parking at Mandurah Station would boost the local economy.
"One thing I've heard loud and clear, with the mining boom easing off, jobs are a big concern,” he said.
“Today's announcement is part of Labor's $180 million commitment we've announced during this campaign to build vitally needed local infrastructure.
"Not only will this infrastructure help the liveability of these suburbs and communities, but I just want people to be able to find a job after the mining boom.
“Our promises will deliver 1700 jobs according to local council research.”
Perth MP Alannah MacTieranan, who was instrumental in building the train line to Mandurah when she was a state minister, said the announcement highlighted a major difference between Labor and Liberal.
“Labor is absolutely committed to funding our rail infrastructure, we absolutely recognise that congestion is a huge issue in our city and we are prepared to come in and back state governments and fund rail infrastructure,” she said.
Mandurah MP David Templeman welcomed the announcement and said the state’s contribution should come from the Royalties for Regions program.
“The Peel region has been woefully funded from the Royalty for Regions program so it's time funding for this project was given priority,” he said.
Earlier this week WA Labor leader Mark McGowan announced that a state Labor government would build a new train station in Karnup to ease pressure on Mandurah Station.