Prime Minister to visit Albany, Crook
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 08-August-2011
Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has confirmed that Prime Minister Julia Gillard will visit Albany this Thursday, August 11.
Mr Crook has lobbied the Prime Minister to visit the electorate of O’Connor, where she will be briefed on a number of significant local infrastructure projects.
The Prime Minister is expected to visit Albany on Thursday afternoon, to take a tour of Mount Clarence and meet with community representatives regarding the Anzac Centenary Commemorations in 2014.
Mr Crook said Albany’s Anzac Centenary proposal was now well and truly on the Federal Government’s radar.
“Having the Prime Minister visit Albany to discuss the Anzac Centenary is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Albany who have worked so hard on this project.
“A visit from the Prime Minister highlights just how seriously this project is being taken by the Federal Government.”
The Albany community recently received $250,000 from the Federal Government to conduct a scoping study into establishing an Anzac Interpretive Centre on Mount Clarence.
Mr Crook said he hoped the results of the scoping study would allow the Albany community to leverage further Federal funding for this project.
“There is still much work to be done to secure this project, but I am very hopeful for a positive outcome,” Mr Crook said.
Mr Crook said the Anzac Centenary Commemorations would be a boon for Albany’s small business community.
“I understand cruise ships are already planning voyages to coincide with this event, which will deliver thousands of tourists to Albany in 2014.”
Albany Centenary of Anzac Alliance Chair, Peter Aspinall, welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit.
“To be able to brief to Prime Minister in person on this project is a wonderful opportunity. It is a very significant boost to our own confidence in the project,” Mr Aspinall said.
“The Anzac Centenary is truly a significant commemorative event for the Albany community.”
Mr Crook said his position on the cross bench has allowed him to negotiate with both sides of Parliament to deliver better outcomes for regional Western Australia.
“Securing a visit from the Prime Minister to O’Connor would have been a much harder task sitting in Opposition,” Mr Crook said.
“I recognise the value of this visit and I will be leveraging this opportunity to deliver a positive outcome for the people of O’Connor.”
The Prime Minister will also visit Esperance on Thursday morning to tour the Esperance Port and learn about the infrastructure needs of the Esperance community.
See this article on the member's website