State Cabinet to visit Busselton

Busselton will welcome Premier Colin Barnett and ministers on Monday and Tuesday for its first regional sitting of State Cabinet in more than a decade.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said she expected tourism to be a major focus, with the Premier recently taking on the tourism portfolio.

She said he would visit several key tourism venues and would host a Tourism Industry Leaders forum.

Food and wine export, community space, education and health care are also expected to be among the issues looked at by Cabinet.

Ms Mettam said this would involve meetings with the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local government, the South West Development Commission and the Wardan Aboriginal Centre.

“As the Liberal member for Vasse, I am pleased to have been involved in organising this great event, which will not only showcase the greatness of our region, but will also provide the opportunity for our community to engage with senior Government ministers,” she said.

When the announcement was made in March this year, Busselton Mayor Grant Henley told theTimes it was a great opportunity to showcase the region to the Premier and ministers.

“We’re delighted that regional Cabinet will sit here in the City of Busselton,” he said.

“The State Government has made a significant investment into the Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport and the project is likely to feature as a topic of discussion at the Cabinet meeting.

“Whether or not any further funding announcement is made during the visit remains to be seen.”

Last year, Kalgoorlie-Boulder received more than $10 million in funding for projects when the Cabinet met in the region.