The Nationals WA candidate for O’Connor John Hassell has hit out at both major parties for failing to address issues important to regional WA in the Federal Election campaign.
Mr Hassell said the latest election promise by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was a key example of the major parties metro-centric attitude.
“They have promised $1 billion for Metronet but not a cent for regional WA,” Mr Hassell said.
“The Prime Minister’s sole visit to WA was to spend a short period looking at a shipyard before jetting off to campaign in marginal seats in the east.
“Regional health, access to education, job creation, mental health services and telecommunications are all vitally important issues for regional WA, but the major parties can’t see past Perth.”
Mr Hassell said the major parties had ignored issues important to regional WA throughout the campaign.
“There has been no discussion of WA’s paltry GST returns, no commitment to scrap the Backpacker Tax, and no new funding for infrastructure or services in regional WA,” Mr Hassell said.
“WA’s federal MPs and Senators should be ashamed of themselves for failing to make WA a campaign priority.
“Why would any regional resident vote for the major parties when they have failed to deliver for regional WA?”
Mr Hassell said regional voters deserved a strong voice to advocate for issues important to them in Federal Parliament.
“A vote for Liberal or Labor won’t see an extra dollar invested in regional WA,” Mr Hassell said.
“Only The Nationals WA are committed to fighting for issues important to regional WA. Send me to Canberra so I can fight for families, business and communities in O’Connor.”