6/4/05
Minister for Goldfields-Esperance John Bowler today welcomed the success of the One Vote One Value legislation through its first vote in the lower house of State Parliament in the early hours of this morning.
Mr Bowler said the latest One Vote One Value model would ensure that the Goldfields kept two seats, despite a lot of rhetoric by the Liberal Party to the contrary.
“The Gallop Government’s legislation protects the representation of Goldfields voters,” he said.
“Only our legislation guarantees the protection of the seats of Kalgoorlie and Murchison-Eyre.
“If left to the current system, population changes will undoubtedly result in the loss of seats in the Goldfields and greater Mining and Pastoral region.”
Mr Bowler said Kalgoorlie MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matt Birney did not support his own constituents last night, by refusing to cross the floor and vote with the Government.
“Mr Birney chose to support the Liberal Party in the South-West at the expense of Goldfields voters,” the Minister said.
“The Liberal Party has again proved they are divided, with some of their members indicating their support for electoral reform.
“Even Prime Minister John Howard has indicated that electoral reform is in the best interests of Western Australia.”
Mr Bowler said if Mr Birney had crossed the floor, this would have sent a clear message to his Upper House colleagues to pass the Bill, which was in the best interests of the Goldfields.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
