State Government's lack of investment in Mullewa put Nationals MP Julie Freeman on path to politics
One of the Mid West's newest State politicians says neglect of her adopted hometown led her on the path to politics, as she becomes the latest in a small list of WA parliamentary representatives from Mullewa.
Julie Freeman was the Nationals first name on the ticket for the Legislative Council at the State election.
Of the 37 members of the new Upper House to be sworn in next month will be two Nationals members, both from the Mid West — Ms Freeman and Northampton's Rob Horstman.
Based in Mullewa having moved there 30 years ago to pursue a career in teaching, Ms Freeman said her life became the 'quintessential Australian love story', having married a farmer.
Over the years, she became embedded in the community and saw the lack of investment within the region.
Ms Freeman pointed to the state of Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road in her town, calling the situation 'disgraceful'.
'That would never be allowed to happen in an urban area, can you imagine a road being left in that condition in Geraldton? Never mind Perth,' she said.
'The hospital redevelopment in Mullewa which was all going ahead in 2017, we are still waiting in 2025.
'We are out of sight, out of mind, and completely forgotten.'
According to Ms Freeman, a career in politics was never something she had envisaged for herself.
Whilst being a supporter of the Nationals for many years, including being the State president of the party, she always felt her role would be 'behind the scenes'.
'I think being a woman who lives in a rural community, the logistics of being in politics just seemed impossible,' she said.
'Just the idea of family, job, household, distance, all those life logistics that I think is a massive barrier that keeps a lot of women out of these leadership roles.
'But my children are grown up, our business is doing fine, and I had a reality check when I lost a close friend . . . I only get one life and this is my time.'
Ms Freeman pointed to former WA Nationals leader Mia Davies as a role model, saying she paved the way for regional women in State politics.
It was Labor's success in 2021 across the State, and the consequences following which prompted Ms Freeman's political interest and support for the Nationals.
'When we lost the regional representation in the Upper House, and when people could see that a Labor Government of the size that it was, was able to make those unilateral decisions with no resistance at all, I think that's what motivated people,' she said.
'They saw a threat to our democracy of having a really lopsided Parliament and to not having their voices heard properly.'
Ms Freeman as a member-elect is set become the first State MP with links to Mullewa since former Premier David Brand, who retired in 1975.
The last Upper House member with ties to Mullewa was understood to be Liberal MP Charles Simpson, who retired in 1963.
While Ms Freeman aimed to shine a light on the issues in her region, part of her role as an Upper House MP would be to serve the entire State.
Ms Freeman said it would come down to negotiation and working with stakeholders to achieve results.
'We will need to, on occasion, work very co-operatively to get a result, which is easier said than done because there's some pretty diverse parties in there with some pretty diverse agendas,' she said.
'I don't know that's always going to be successful, but we'll do our best. I think the key thing for Rob and I is just to make sure that we are a very strong voice.'
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