Crook responds to ‘inaccurate and dishonest’ ad claims

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 19-March-2010

The Nationals candidate for O’Connor Tony Crook has defended the Nationals pre-election advertising campaign after an attack from a WA Liberal Senator.

Mr Crook responded to claims by Senator Mathias Cormann that the advertising is “dishonest and inaccurate” by reiterating the difficulties that WA MP’s from major parties have when they go to Canberra.

“Those MP’s have to argue in a party room dominated by eastern states politicians,” Mr Crook said.

“There are 151 seats in the House of Representatives, only four of those are Regional WA seats. There are more seats in Sydney than in the whole of WA.

“The only way WA will get its fair share is if we have a voice independent of the Sydney and Melbourne centric parties.”

Mr Crook said that this was further evidenced by the fact that Liberal politicians Wilson Tuckey and Barry Haase have both been advocating for their electorates on relevant issues but are not getting heard.

“Wilson Tuckey has been talking for years about Tidal Power and Barry Haase has talked about Zonal Taxation for years, both great ideas that would help regional WA,” he said.

“But have these come through? NO. This is because they can’t get it past their party rooms.”

Mr Crook said that the Nationals “Reverse the Rip Off” advertising campaign clearly highlights the imbalances of federal spending, with WA again being the poor cousin to the rest of Australia.

“What we are saying is that if West Australians are happy with what our major party politicians have delivered for WA then by all means stick with them,” Mr Crook said.

“However, if you like what the Nationals have brought to State Government through our independent stance, then give us a go in Canberra as well, where you know we will absolutely be fighting for regional WA.”