2017 state election: Collie-Preston candidates debate the future of the region

Each was given four minutes to outline their key policies before taking questions from the floor which focused heavily on the future of the Collie townsite and coal fired power production. 

Nationals candidate Monique Warnock said we need to sit down as a community to formulate a plan for the future. 

“Coal will always be an important part of Collie but we must diversify the economy. 

“The partial sale of Western Power will help to attract other business and industries to Collie while diversifying the local economy,” she said. 

Labor MLA Mick Murray said change is in the air and we can’t just sit on our bums and watch it happen. 

“We are going forward with renewables and new technology without having a set target. 

“Gas will continue to grow, coal will stay the same and renewables will slowly come over the top without us having to completely shut the coal industry immediately.

“The people in that industry know they have to change but they want to work through it towards orderly change that’s not going to impact families.”

Liberal candidate Elysia Harverson said she was committed to making sure Collie has jobs for the future. 

“For the foreseeable future coal fired power is the cheapest and more reliable form of baseload power available in WA.

"We do need to think long-term about reducing our carbon emissions but we need to do it sensibly

This is why we are proposing a 25 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.”

Greens candidate Gordon Tayler said the writing was on the wall for coal fired power generation.  

“Rooftop solar is currently on 20 per cent of houses and by 2020 it will be on 50 per cent,” he said.

“The whole power generation environment is changing and with financial backing and investment there are a number of small scale renewable projects in regional areas which will take away from Collie’s power generation. 

“The writing is on the wall and this will keep happening unless Collie gets it’s share or renewable energy generation projects pronto.”

Independent candidate Louie Scibilia said renewable energy is a godsend but the costs will skyrocket when you privatise it.

“You must not be fooled by the smoke – at the end of the day we can keep coal going but we also need renewables,” he said. 

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Clint Thomas said a mix of all types of renewables is required. 

“From my experience Australia used to be a world leader in renewable energy and we let that go,” he said. 

“I don’t agree with subsidising rooftop power – if it’s a viable option it will stand alone in the marketplace.”

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate David Miller said he has had enough of the bulls**t. 

“The biggest issue facing this country is the price of electricity,” he said. 

“The cheapest and most consistent way to generate power in Australia is coal and Collie is the king of coal,” he said. 

“The government need to build a new Muja size power station in Collie to guarantee the future of power generation.”

Independent candidate Don Hyland sent his apologises with flooding in the north of the state stopping him from returning from work to the South West in time for the forum. 

Mr Hyland provided a note that said his platform focused on two key points – public service reform and accountability including parliament and calling for truth and accountability including political parties, especially in the lead-up to elections. 

Experienced political journalist Peter Kennedy moderated the event and noted Collie-Preston will be a major battleground this time around. 

“Since 1904 the seat has had various names and areas that it covers but just the eight members,” he said. 

“On paper it has a margin preference of 2.9 per cent in favour of the Liberal Party with current member Labor’s Mick Murray returned to power at the last election by just 56 votes.

“With uncertainty around the future of the Collie townsite and its employment industries – the people are paying particularly close attention to what each candidate is saying.”