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Geraldton-based Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr backs one-vote, one-value reform

Phoebe PinGeraldton Guardian
Labor Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton and Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr have both thrown their support behind the McGowan Government’s electoral reform bid for the Upper House.
Camera IconLabor Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton and Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr have both thrown their support behind the McGowan Government’s electoral reform bid for the Upper House. Credit: Geoff Vivian/Midwest Times

The State Government has a responsibility to communicate clearly to regional West Australians what its proposed electoral reform will mean for rural issues, says Geraldton-based MLC Sandra Carr.

Representing the Agricultural Region, Ms Carr said she would be voting in favour of the legislation — which would scrap the six electoral divisions in the Upper House.

She said she expected some of her constituents would be “concerned” about the proposed changes but it was “not possible” for the new system to result in no bush-based MPs being elected to the Legislative Council.

“I am not prepared to entertain that hypothetical because it is based on an erroneous thought that there won’t be regional representation,” she said.

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“I am very confident that what we will see is parties being very careful about choosing regional MPs and being very mindful that if they don’t do that, it wouldn’t matter if they get elected in the Lower House because they won’t get legislation through in the Upper House.”

Ms Carr did her own research into the implications of the electoral reform before the legislation entered Parliament, saying she was confident the proposed system was “the fairest outcome”.

“I think it is going to make it harder for City MPs to ignore the regions because ... if a member in Perth has an office, that person up in Tom Price can ring their MP in Perth and expect the same outcome and the same attention as if they rang a member in Tom Price,” she said.

“We have got MPs across the State, and all of those people are determined to represent the regions that they live in.

“For me, I grew up here and I want to stay where I am, and I want to make sure I look after the electorate.”

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