WA Premier Mark McGowan and Mandurah MLA David Templeman say they are sick of whingeing Liberal politicians.
The comments, made when Mr McGowan visited Mandurah last week to affirm the State Government’s continued support of, and commitment to regional WA, drew angry reactions from local Liberal politicians Andrew Hastie and Zak Kirkup.
Mr Templeman said he could not understand why the Liberals were so negative. “The Federal (Canning MHR Andrew Hastie) member needs to realise we must work together and to stop kicking the guts out of Mandurah,” he said. “We are trying to fix the previous government’s budget. We’ve got a plan. “Zak Kirkup out at Dawesville says there is nothing for them in the Budget which is absolute rubbish. “Our Federal member is more like a member of the opposition and folds his arms on everything while being obstructionist. “We must start promoting Mandurah for the magical place it is and it is up to our local members to stop whingeing.” Mr McGowan said the State Government would focus on Peel and work closely with the City of Mandurah. But Mr Kirkup said the Government had forgotten Mandurah. He said it needed to stop the name-calling sideshow, get on with the job and respond to issues in the community. “I love Mandurah and want to make sure we get the best for our community,” he said. “Labor’s first budget doesn’t even come close to addressing the issues. “I am pleased there is funding for the PYMS Health Hub but there is still plenty more to be done. He said Peel Health Campus had been forgotten with not a single extra dollar for improvement. “We have rising crime rates but no money for extra police at Mandurah, a growing population but no new funding for schools in my district.” Mr Hastie claimed Mr Templeman was “all feathers and no meat” and was blaming others so he could walk away from the $20 million station car park promised at the election. “The State Government has underfunded the project and set dishonest conditions on it being built,” he said. “He is a State Minister and needs to focus on delivering key infrastructure, not calling tricky press conferences with the Premier. “Of course we need to work together. “That’s why I’m looking forward to his support for the Centrelink Drug Testing Trial and hopefully, the delivery of Lakelands train station.”
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