WA Nationals call on the WA Liberals to back their plan, Holt
Author: Colin Holt
Published on: 30-August-2010
State President of The Nationals WA, Colin Holt, has called on WA’s Federal
Liberal MPs to back Tony Crook and his scheme to guarantee matched
Federal funding for Royalties for Regions.
Mr Crook and Mr Holt are in Canberra today, where they will meet with Liberal
Party Leader Tony Abbott to discuss getting a fairer share for regional WA.
“People in regional WA backed The Nationals at the Federal election to ensure
they have a strong voice in Canberra,” Mr Holt said.
“Thanks to this support, Tony Crook now has an unprecedented opportunity to
put regional WA’s needs front and centre in the Federal political debate.
“The Nationals will put forward their request for a guaranteed portion of
Federal funding to match Royalties for Regions each year, so we can continue
to support vital infrastructure and services in regional WA.”
Mr Holt said The Nationals had campaigned strongly on this policy and had a
clear mandate from the people of regional WA, who would be disappointed if
they did not put up a good fight during negotiations.
“We certainly won’t be making demands at the jeopardy of stable government,
but we believe if both major parties can commit to billions in infrastructure
spending in marginal Eastern States seats during the election campaign, they
should be willing to look seriously at our plan for regional WA.
“We all viewed the Liberal advertising saying that WA was the nation’s cash
cow.
“If the Liberals were fair dinkum with these ads they should now be seizing the
opportunity to support Tony Crook to get some of that cash back.
“In particular, Barry Haase, the Member for Durack should be leading the way
given he represents an electorate known for its massive mining activity.”
The WA Liberals have so far been silent on the prospect of a potential Abbott
Government partnering with the Liberal-Nationals State Government to further
deliver for Regional WA.
“I hope Western Australian representatives from the Liberal Party take this
chance to stand up for their State, rather than toeing the party line yet again.
“We have ruled out negotiations with Labor while the mining tax is still on the
table, but if the Liberal Party isn’t willing to broker a deal that will deliver
greater benefits to regional WA then Tony Crook has indicated he will sit as an
independent National on the cross-benches.
“I’m sure Mr Abbott won’t pass up this exceptional opportunity to return much-
needed investment back to the areas that produce so much of the nation’s
wealth – regional WA.”
