WA Election: Vasse nominees outline priorities

On the eve of the State election, the Busselton-Dunsborough Times asked each Vasse seat candidate for a brief update on their primary focus should they be elected to represent the district.

While incumbent Liberal MLA Troy Buswell, Labor’s Lee Edmundson and Independent Gary Norden initially indicated more than one key issue could be isolated, responses to the question are detailed below.

Family First candidate Julie Westbrook was unavailable to provide fresh comments. Candidates are listed in the order they responded.

Gary Norden (Independent)

It is hard to make one priority as community infrastructure is so lacking.

We need to immediately plan for more primary schools, a 24-hour police station and better health services such as a chemotherapy unit.

We also need to offer more to our youth, in terms of recreational resources, support and guidance, education (real funding for a new TAFE not Clayton’s promises) and career opportunities.

Dunsborough needs a heated pool and we must find a way to deliver one rather than find excuses why it can’t be done.

Finally our community needs better representation on the chlorination issue and I will be fighting for more answers and an inquiry if needed.

Bernie Masters (Independent)

My top priority is to honestly and strongly represent all residents of the Vasse electorate to the government of the day and to the Parliament.

Since the current MP moved to Perth in 2007 to spend more time with his family, Vasse has been served by a part time MP who has lost touch with local issues and local problems.

I’m an active member of the community and am more aware of the issues that are important to residents.

If elected, I will seek an urgent meeting with the Health Department to review the new hospital’s proposed services, including the hospice.

I will actively pursue funding to realign the Port Geographe groynes and I will work with the City to secure a Performing Arts Centre.

Lee Edmundson (Labor)

Health care, aged care, education and community safety would be my key priorities if elected, including a dedicated birthing centre for Busselton, child community health nurses and more mental health services.

There is also a desperate need for more residential aged care facilities to meet the current shortfall that has been made worse by the Liberal State Government’s rejection of the proposed co-located aged care facility with the new Busselton hospital.

If elected I would fight for educational resources and press for two more schools, one in Dunsborough and another for Busselton.

I would also press for funding for a new TAFE in Busselton.

There is an urgent need for more police officers and for a 24/7 Police Station in Busselton.

WA Labor have committed to 500 extra police officers plus fulfilling the Barnett government’s undelivered commitment for an extra 170 officers.

James Wishart (Nationals)

My first priority for Vasse is ensuring the future of Royalties for Regions.

Since it was introduced in 2008, it has injected more than $6 billion into regional WA for more than 2500 projects.

The major parties say they will keep Royalties for Regions, but why would they maintain regional spending when there are 42 seats in Parliament for the metropolitan area and just 17 in regional WA.

Michael Baldock (Greens)

Water. We must adapt to falling rainfall and protect our aquifers so that we can enjoy safe drinking water, access clean agricultural water supplies, have adequate water to maintain our unique environment and ensure healthy runoff into our rivers, wetlands and bay.

The Greens will continue to act to protect our aquifers from coal mining and again move for a moratorium on fracking despite the opposition of all other parties.

I will support an inquiry into the chlorination of Busselton’s water supply, support independent testing and oppose privatisation of water extraction from our aquifers.

I demand adequate funding of the Vasse Wonnerup Geographe Bay Water Quality Improvement Plan. Troy Buswell (Liberal) Firstly, deliver important priority projects that include constructing a new regional TAFE facility, a second primary school in Dunsborough, securing funding to enable the City of Busselton to upgrade the Busselton foreshore and continue to advance the expansion of the Busselton Airport.

Secondly, monitoring the progress of important local projects that are either underway or soon to commence.

This includes projects like the Busselton Hospital, the Port Geographe Groyne reconfiguration, the upgrade of the Cape Naturaliste Road and Caves Road intersection, the construction of Dunsborough’s Aged Care facility and the rollout of the $7million that has been committed to expanding fire fighting resources across the Capes region.

Thirdly, advocate to secure some of the additional 550 police officers that a re-elected Liberal Government will deliver to ensure Busselton has a 24-hour police station.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Responses were edited for space.