A speech in federal Parliament by Canning MP Andrew Hastie stressing the need for a train station in Lakelands has sparked another war-of-words between the Liberal politician and his Labor state contemporaries.
The potential for a station in the northern Mandurah suburb has been a hot topic of conversation for many years, especially as more people move to the area.
Mr Hastie identified the station as a priority at the federal election earlier this year and the Australian government has committed $37 million towards the project.
However, WA Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has stated more of a contribution from the Commonwealth is needed to make the station a reality.
The state government has projected that a station in Karnup will fill some of the void between Mandurah and Warnbro, with that facility set to open in 2021.
Mr Hastie spoke about the topic in Parliament on Monday and said the election of Ahmed Zilani to the City of Mandurah council was an indication that voters wanted a new station in Lakelands.
"Building this train
station is a priority for the people of northern Mandurah - many locals have waited over 10 years for it to be built," he said.
"The people have made their views very clearly known this weekend with the election of Ahmed Zilani to the North Ward of Mandurah.
"Ahmed has been an outspoken and at times colourful campaigner for the station - I note his hunger strike in support of the train station. Will WA finally listen?"
Mr Hastie called on Ms Saffioti and Mandurah MP David Templeman to dedicate funding to the Lakelands project.
"The member for Mandurah, Minister David Templeman, says the WA
government does support Lakelands but he has failed to deliver any funding thus far," he said.
"This failure comes despite
David Templeman sitting at the WA cabinet table. WA Labor has a problem. Will they finally build the train
station north of Mandurah that the people of Lakelands need?
"I call on David Templeman to take action to help make the Lakelands train station
happen. If he doesn't, Labor will own that failure at the next election."
In response, Mr Templeman said he supported a station in Lakelands, but the federal government needed to invest a higher percentage of the project's cost.
"I remain totally supportive and continue to advocate for a rail station in Lakelands," he said.
"Minister Saffioti has quite appropriately requested that the federal government fund 80 per cent of the Lakelands station as they have already committed to similar road rail projects in other states. Why is WA different?
"Andrew Hastie says he wants to work together on projects then slags off people at every opportunity.
"Labor delivered the rail line to Mandurah, were about to build more parking at Mandurah Station and I am committed to doing everything to deliver a station in Lakelands."
Ms Saffioti echoed her Labor colleague's sentiments and hit back at Mr Hastie.
"METRONET is currently undertaking a business case assessment of Karnup and Lakelands Stations a requirement for Commonwealth investment," she said.
"As I have previously said, Mr Hastie made an election commitment to deliver this station. He needs to back this up with funding.
"I have spoken to Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge to request at least 80 per cent funding towards the construction.
"In the meantime, the federal government is putting 100 per cent of the funds towards some infrastructure projects in Tasmania."