WA Labor Can Hide, But Can't Run

Last week was the last week of State Parliament until May, in a year where we are only sitting for 57 days. 

That means important legislation can't progress until we return, like retail barring orders legislation which will help protect retail workers from violence, or reforms to the compensation scheme for our police officers.

It also means the Opposition can't ask any questions of the government.

It’s clear that Roger Cook and WA Labor are trying to lessen the time we have as an Opposition to hold them to account in Parliament for their many failings.

Whether it’s on housing, cost of living, our crumbling Health system, or this Government’s addiction to secrecy, we will continue to expose to West Australians the reality of the Cook Labor Government.

We are also committed to listening to West Australians, wherever they are, to better represent them in our Parliament.

I was delighted to visit Albany recently on my listening tour, including a breakfast with the Albany Branch alongside Rick Wilson MP and Steve Thomas MLC.

Locals there were particularly concerned about fuel availability in the coming weeks, especially the rising cost and diminishing availability of diesel.

We also heard from local business owners facing significant challenges under a government that doesn’t understand them.

Like Shane Vale, whose local fish and chip shop has been hit hard by Labor’s fishing ban.

Or Les Palmer, who’s steakhouse is facing rising overheads as a result of the shutting down of the gas network in Albany.

As I have travelled around Western Australia in my first year as leader of the Opposition, from Exmouth to Esperance, Karratha to Kalgoorlie, there has been a consistent theme of West Australians who feel like they aren’t being listened to.

Housing is out of reach for too many. Our health system is failing patients, doctors, nurses and staff. And the cost of living is causing too many households to make difficult choices about their spending, holding them back from getting ahead.

I remain as committed today, one year on, as I did at the beginning to being a voice for these lost West Australians, fighting for them in our Parliament, and working every day towards a change of Government in 2029.

Thank you as always for all your support - I will never take it for granted.