New Premier and Minister Safiotti have catch-up work to do for North West
The new Premier of WA has a massive task to regain the confidence and trust of North West voters after the McGowan Government’s six years of failing on basic health services and facilities, transport and at risk youth, at a time of record budget surpluses.
Member for North West Central Merome Beard acknowledged the public service of Mark McGowan who stepped down as Premier last week, but reminded the community not to forget the governments failures at this time of transition.
“Being an MP is a great honour, but its hard work and the new Premier needs to re-focus the governments efforts and commitment to everyone in our electorate.
“It’s simply not good enough that communities are still left waiting for basic facilities such as Meekatharra and Tom Price and surrounds with their long-promised hospitals still on the horizon, along with no solution to the adequate provision of maternity services in the North West”.
“The Goldfields Highway upgrade of the Wiluna-Meekatharra Road is a must, and a long-term solution on the Carnarvon Fascine remain vital for my electorate,” said Ms Beard.
With Minister Saffioti taking on extra responsibilities the delivery of key transport infrastructure and the need for a focus on regional tourism will be a litmus test for the loaded-up Minister,” said Ms Beard.
“Reliable and regular air services are essential and key to economic growth and development but recent challenges with delays and cancellations are having a dire impact on residents, businesses, visitors and services, with costs and reputational damage piling up”.
“A recent question in Budget Estimates in relation to ‘on-time performance’ of air services indicated that there are benchmarks, but exactly what these are wasn’t disclosed”.
Minister Saffioti has One Mile Jetty, Carnarvon Fascine and the Goldfields Highway, and reliable air services as priority local transport projects on her agenda. I will be keeping the pressure on every step of the way to make sure they are delivered as soon as possible.”
“I wish Mark McGowan well for a life and career after politics but I will be welcoming the new Premier with the same passion and fight which I have shown since I was elected.