Newly re-elected Liberal MLC to retain focus on region
Newly re-elected MLC Neil Thomson says the new Upper House structure which sees the Labor State Government without a majority will benefit regional communities such as the Goldfields.
The State Government this week agreed to send its new firearms laws to a parliamentary committee to look at how it was implemented.
This followed concern being expressed by regional people, including those in the Goldfields, who rely on guns as part of their everyday work.
Mr Thomson said the decision was a 'very important signal' to the community that the Opposition would still be able to achieve things for the regions, despite not being in government.
'That was a promise we took to the election because we knew that so many firearms owners out there in the Goldfields were really frustrated about the massive red tape that's been imposed upon them by these poorly thought through laws . . . which needlessly tie good people down in red tape,' he said.
'I think that is a very exciting change for the people of WA that now here we go, notwithstanding the Upper House changes, we now have democracy being exercised and that the authority of Parliament can start to impose itself upon some of these reckless decisions made by the WA Labor Cabinet.'
Despite changes to the Upper House seeing regional electorates abolished in favour of one Statewide electorate, Mr Thomson said he would continue to be a voice for the Goldfields, having served as a member for the Mining and Pastoral region during his previous term.
'There's that benefit as so far as you're representing the whole State, but that is far outweighed by the loss to the specific representation by the Upper House in those distinct regions,' he said.
'Ultimately, we will work with the system we have and I will continue to be very strong on the regional issues, and particularly . . . providing that counter to the Government's position out of the Goldfields, out of Kalgoorlie, and obviously the Kimberley and the Pilbara in particular, and down for the Gascoyne region as well.'
Mr Thomson now serves as the shadow minister for planning and land, Aboriginal affairs and seniors, all of which he said would see him continue to work closely for the Goldfields region.
He said his office would also remain in Kalgoorlie-Boulder despite him relocating from Broome to Carnarvon, and he encouraged the community to get in touch with any issues or concerns.
He said antisocial behaviour, crime rates, power reliability and issues with the nickel industry would continue to be major issues going forward which would have his attention on behalf of the community.
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