The Nationals WA have called Peel and the South West “the new frontier” for the party ahead of the March state election.
Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls visited Pinjarra and Waroona today with Member for the South West Colin Holt and the party’s new candidate for the Murray-Wellington electorate, Paul Gillett.
The seat of Murray-Wellington has been held by incumbent Liberal Murray Cowper since 2005.
Mr Grylls addressed the group of council members, business owners and residents on the Naitonals’ policy, namely on Royalties for Regions, his proposed increase in the WA mining royalty tax, and aims to increase WA’s share of the GST.
“As it is, nine out of every 10 dollars earned through the GST here goes to the Eastern States,” Mr Grylls said.
“At the same time, BHP and Rio Tinto are listing record profits. It’s unbalanced.
“We understand and appreciate the role of BHP and Rio in WA – they provide jobs for hundreds of Australians, and the Nationals will continue to support the industry as we have always done.
"But the agreement between the state government and these companies dates back to 1964. I, as a politician, can’t rightly stand here and ask you to pay more taxes every year, and not demand the same of our miners.”
Both Mr Grylls and Mr Gillett focused heavily on the Royalties for Regions funding, which they said was under threat from government cuts if the Nationals did not maintain a balance of power in WA government.
“This is the most critical point in the existence of Royalties for Regions since it started in 2008,” Mr Grylls said.
“Since then, about $7 billion dollars have been injected into regional WA through the program, including in Pinjarra. We’re confident that’s $7 billion that would not have materialised without Royalties for Regions.”
The Nationals members are canvassing towns throughout the South West and Peel regions during the election cycle, hoping to establish a strong presence in the area.
“There is huge opportunities for agriculture, tourism and industry in this region we don’t believe are yet being utilized,” Mr Grylls said.
“The Nationals have always been the party representing regional Australia, and over the last two elections we've built strong support in the Wheatbelt, Pilbara and northern WA. We now need to extend that to here.”
Mr Gillett, a third-generation wheat farmer from Bencubbin, moved to his wife’s family home of Brunswick, north of Bunbury.
Mr Gillett said his farming background, family and passion for supporting regional communities would allow him to relate to Murray-Wellington locals.
“I’ve spent my whole life working in regions and in small communities, so I know what life’s like in places like this,” he said.
Mr Gillett’s main priority was maintaining Royalties for Regions.
“I’ve seen myself the things that Royalties for Regions delivers, and I think it’s critical it stays,” he said.
“RfR has breathed new life into communities, and allowed them to develop to an extent they haven’t managed to before. It’s worked in Bunbury, it’s worked in Pinjarra, and we’re hoping we can do even more after the election.”
Pinjarra Shire President Maree Reid raised issue with Peel’s allotment of Royalties for Regions, which has received just two per cent of the total funding.
But Mr Grylls defended the distribution, and said other regions were priorities above Peel.
“The model was originally built for places like the Pilbara and Goldfields, where the living standards were much lower and cost of living much higher,” Mr Grylls said.
“In order to keep Royalties for Regions going, we need support, real grassroots support. So if you’re upset with the allocation you’re receiving, I’d say to you that we’re here, and we want you at the table.”
