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WA Nationals keen to regain lost mining region seats at 2021 State Election

Tom ZaunmayrThe West Australian
WA Nationals leader Mia Davies.
Camera IconWA Nationals leader Mia Davies. Credit: West Regional News, Tom Zaunmayr

The WA Nationals are playing the long game as they begin a push to regain lost ground in the State’s mining regions at the 2021 election.

Both the Nats and Labor have talked up their prospects of luring a star candidate to vie for the Kalgoorlie seat which, in 2017, saw both parties and the Liberals separated by just 300 votes.

That election proved detrimental to the Nats’ influence in the Mining and Pastoral region, losing Kalgoorlie-based Upper House MP Dave Grills, the Kalgoorlie seat and party leader Brendon Grylls’ Pilbara seat.

We see the Goldfields and Pilbara very much as areas that have benefited hugely from having the Nationals sitting around the decision-making table

Mia Davies

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Two of those seats fell to Labor — Kevin Michel in the Pilbara and Kyle McGinn in the Upper House — and Kalgoorlie went to Liberal Kyran O’Donnell.

Now, about 400 days out from the 2021 State Election, WA Nationals leader Mia Davies has affirmed her party’s intention of clawing back lost ground in the State’s sprawling outback seats.

“We see the Goldfields and Pilbara very much as areas that have benefited hugely from having the Nationals sitting around the decision-making table with the advent for Royalties for Regions and we will be working hard to make sure those communities understand their vote counts,” she said.

“We will be rolling out policies across the whole 14 months before we get to March 2021.

“I think it is better for us to do that and really get feedback on the discussion papers and policies we put out so if there are concerns, if community members, businesses, industry have feedback we can work with them before we get to the election period.”

Opposition leader Liza Harvey, to accompany a story by Joe Spagnolo
Camera IconOpposition leader Liza Harvey, to accompany a story by Joe Spagnolo Credit: Daniel Wilkins

Ms Davies said the party had been in discussion with a few “regional champions” who could run for the party.

The WA Nationals leader’s comments come days after Opposition Leader Liza Harvey all but confirmed incumbent Kyran O’Donnell would stay on as the Liberals’ man for Kalgoorlie.

“I think Kyran will be endorsed without any challengers,” Ms Harvey said.

“He has been working very hard and hopefully the people of Kalgoorlie will endorse him in March 2021 when it matters most.”

Mr O’Donnell holds the seat by a 6 per cent margin.

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