New Albany MLA Scott Leary says Labor’s State election commitments still in the pipeline ahead of State Budget

Albany MLA Scott Leary says promises made by Labor on the State election campaign trail for the seat of Albany are still firmly on his radar as the State Government prepares to release its Budget. During the State election campaign in March, the Albany Advertiser tracked more than 30 monetary promises made by WA Labor to local community organisations in the seat of Albany. These promises totalled around $132 million, including upgrades to Albany Regional Airport, additional beds and staff for Albany Health Campus, and a new teaching block for North Albany Senior High School. Community organisations like North Albany Football Club, Albany Community Hospice, and Albany Fishability also received monetary promises for upgrades and new facilities, with commitments ranging from $5000 to $60m. The pressure is on Mr Leary as Albany’s new MLA to keep these promises on the State Government’s radar, and he said he would be taking a close look at the State Budget to make sure these community commitments did not go overlooked. “We’re definitely going to do everything we can to make sure that the community organisations who were promised money during the election are going to see that money. It’s definitely a priority for us,” he said. Mr Leary delivered his inaugural address in State Parliament in Perth on May 20, and set his priorities for the seat as Albany’s first Nationals MLA in 70 years. Regional health care, roads and transport links, backing local business, opportunities for youth, protecting the environment, and increasing housing availability were target areas included on his list. The State Budget will be handed down on June 19, and Mr Leary said he would be taking the time to make sure Albany benefited in the coming financial year, and keeping Labor accountable for its commitments. The former financial director said he hoped his business experience would help him be able to ask the necessary questions of the Labor Government to ensure commitments were upheld and funds dispensed in an appropriate time line to benefit the organisations receiving them. He said the initial response from Labor representatives when probed about commitments made during the party’s election campaign had been positive. A State Government spokesperson said Labor was not ready to make comments on commitments yet, but more information would be available in the coming weeks. “We’ve been clear from the start that this upcoming Budget is about delivering on our commitments, investing heavily in key services and priority areas like jobs, health and housing, and continuing to propel this State forward,” they said. Top ministers from the Cook Government made dozens of visits to Albany during the fight for the hotly contested seat, and though Labor’s Rebecca Stephens failed to hang on to her role, Premier Roger Cook’s win means the promises all still stand.