Applause and outrage combined at forum

‘Midland is not a political ball, and Midland matters ” everyone needs to work together,’ another resident bellows.

The audience applause and a political debate between Midland MLA, Labor’s Michelle Roberts, and Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban, a Liberal, ensues.

‘I won’t stand by and see some of the wrong things that are now happening. The Barnett Government has to deliver,’ Ms Roberts says.

Mr Alban responds to an irate Beechboro mother: ‘I look after only my electorate and I think you need to ask the Minister,’ after facing a barrage of questions about the controversial location of the disability justice centres close to schools in Lockridge and Kiara.

This was the scene when 300 people filled Midland Town Hall for a special public forum last week.

The audience erupted when Mr Alban said the Ellenbrook rail line promise was ‘the issue that has made me famous for all the wrong reasons.’

Mr Alban deflected the query of who promised what before the 2008 State election and highlighted his efforts to have the Perth-Darwin Highway constructed, which would benefit the whole region.

West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti said: ‘Whether it’s Brabham, Dayton, Caversham, Ellenbrook, we need a co-ordinated, linked public transport system.’

Mayor Charlie Zannino concluded the two-hour forum by stating the large City had 42 suburbs, and all residents were welcome to raise more queries at council meetings.