Federal seat of Kalgoorlie will hold key to outcome of Federal election

1/9/98

Premier Richard Court today said that the Federal seat of Kalgoorlie would hold the key to which political party won the forthcoming Federal election.

"While most of the focus has been on the marginal seats in the city areas, Kalgoorlie is now a marginal regional seat which the major political parties need to win to take Federal Government on October 3," Mr Court said.

"The performance of the Liberal Party and Labor Party in Kalgoorlie will be a strong indicator of which party will win Federal Government."

Mr Court said the issues which would determine the election campaign in Kalgoorlie would be the calibre of the candidates and policies.

"The Liberal Party has selected Barry Haase, who was born in Southern Cross and has lived virtually his whole life in the region, particularly the Pilbara," he said.

"He has brought up a family in the area and operated a number of small businesses in the Pilbara and therefore knows the social and economic issues facing the region.

"Barry is fully aware of the importance of ensuring that the Federal Coalition's 10-point plan for Native Title is implemented. The people of the Kalgoolie region should not forget that the Labor Party abandoned them on this critical issue.

"Through his local knowledge of the region, Mr Haase is also fully aware of the importance of the Coalition's tax reform package to the region.

"The removal of the 25 cents per litre from diesel and the removal of wholesale tax from tyres, parts and lubricants will slash transport costs in the region.

"Exports and job creation will be boosted by the removal of wholesale sales tax from exports, which is critical to the Kalgoorlie region at a time when Australia has to improve its export competitiveness in the world.

"Kalgoorlie is the export engine of Western Australia and has the most to lose if our export industries do not meet the challenge of becoming even more competitive in the current world downturn.

"Significant income tax cuts for people earning over $50,000 a year will also be important to people in the mining and resources sector who have been ignored by Labor's tax package.

"If Barry Haase is elected to Parliament, he will ensure that these policies become a reality and the people and region of Kalgoorlie continues to flourish."

Media contact: Jack Gilleece 9222 9475