Stock image
Camera IconStock image Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Federal Election sees rematch in Tangney as Roe 8 looms as hot topic

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

NEXT month’s Federal Election will play out as a rematch of 2016 in Tangney, with incumbent Ben Morton once again a clear favourite against Labor’s Marion Boswell.

Mr Morton has flagged Roe 8 as a big issue for this campaign through an online petition and advertisements, while Ms Boswell has campaigned against it.

Labor stopped Roe 8 when it won the State Election in 2017 but the Federal Government has kept aside the $1.2 billion it was willing to pay for the road to be constructed.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Morrison calls election

Morton romps home in 2016

Getting to the Raffles about to get harder

The City of Melville is pushing for a commitment to Canning Bridge and public transport interchange improvements like there has been for the Fremantle traffic and rail bridge.

“Canning Bridge has recently been listed as a priority initiative by Infrastructure Australia, recognising the importance of the Canning Bridge crossing capacity and interchange in terms of its national significance and value, on economic principles,” Melville chief executive Marten Tieleman said.

“This would then support the opportunity for the development of the Canning Bridge Station Interchange for enhanced accessibility across and within the Canning Bridge Activity Centre Precinct area.”

Tangney MP Ben Morton has gathered close to 5000 signatures as part of his push to alter plans for the $100 million Murdoch Drive connection.
Camera IconTangney MP Ben Morton has gathered close to 5000 signatures as part of his push to alter plans for the $100 million Murdoch Drive connection. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Tangney takes in nearly all the City of Melville.

After beating out Dennis Jensen for the Liberal’s pre-selection ahead of the last election, Mr Morton was a clear winner with 61.1 per cent of votes after preferences to Ms Boswell’s 38.9 per cent.

Mr Jensen, who ran as an independent, secured 11.9 per cent of first preference votes.

Aside from the tail end of Dr Jensen’s final term, when he represented as an independent, the Liberal Party has held Tangney since 1984.

There was a 2 per cent swing towards Labor in 2016, which Mr Morton attributed to the “Mediscare campaign”.

Marion Boswell.
Camera IconMarion Boswell. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

This year’s field also includes Greens’ Martin Spencer, United Australia’s Matthew Anthill, Australian Christians’ Mark Staer and independent Jillian Horton.

Parts of Palmyra and Kardinya fall into the electorate of Fremantle, which Labor incumbent Josh Wilson will be looking to defend. Mr Wilson was first elected in 2016 and last year was re-elected with 73.33 per cent of the vote in a by-election.

Candidates for May 18 include Jesse Hutchinson for the Greens, Nicole Robins for Liberals and James Harfouche for the People’s Party.

The Fremantle electorate covers the cities of Cockburn, Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle.

More news from around Perth