Mid-West electorate—Christmas presents
Statement
Mr Shane Love (Mid-West—Leader of the Nationals WA) (12:49 pm): Dear Santa, Shane Love here, member for Mid-West. I know you are flat out at this time of year, so I will keep this brief—well, as brief as I can be when my electorate is twice the size of Victoria! I have tried very hard to be good this year, even when the government made it extremely difficult to do so, so I am hoping you might be able to deliver a few Christmas miracles. First of all, could we please get some reliable power in the Mid West? Every summer we have blackout after blackout, and it would be nice if the Christmas turkey was the only thing getting cooked this summer.
Second, it is time for the government to reinstate maternity services in Carnarvon. They have been closed since 2022, leaving hundreds of women and their families with no choice but to travel long distances to give birth. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem, but, in 2025, no family should have to travel that far. Next, can we get the Murchison school dental van back on the road? Kids in Mount Magnet, Yalgoo and Meekatharra have now waited over two years for a check-up, which is simply unacceptable in a state as wealthy as Western Australia. Also, while you are flying over the Gascoyne, could you check in on Rex Airlines? You manage to keep to schedule and you are using reindeer. It would be great if Rex could catch up sometimes, because people from Carnarvon and Shark Bay are dealing with cancellations, delays and chaos.
Next, could you please check in on the fishers and businesses from Dongara to Guilderton that have been blindsided by Labor's ban on demersal fishing? While you are at it, make sure the Gascoyne does not get smashed with fishers from the south. Also, with the busy summer period ahead on the roads and on the water, the Mid West still does not have a rescue helicopter. We are the largest population area in WA without coverage. A chopper would save lives on our roads, along our coast and in remote communities. Finally, regional WA deserves a fair go. So, Santa, could you please restore Royalties for Regions to what it was when the Nationals were in government? We have all been very patient—probably too patient. Thank you, Santa.
