Keep pollies in towns, says Lib

Veteran Liberal member Dr Steve Thomas will quit his Margaret River office to support his battered party colleagues in Bunbury, but new Labor MLC Jackie Jarvis is set to replace him.

With Upper House candidates sworn in this week, Cowaramup-based Ms Jarvis confirmed she would occupy Dr Thomas’ office in the short term.

A standard financial and health and safety review of electorate offices meant Ms Jarvis would possibly move again, perhaps as soon as next year, with the Times understanding disability access was a key issue.

“The Department of Finance does review all commercial leases of electorate offices after each election to ensure current lease arrangements represent the best value for the WA taxpayers, have disabled access in line with modern standards, and offer a safe work environment for staff,” Ms Jarvis said.

“Depending on the outcome of that review, my office location may change later in the year, but will remain in Margaret River.”

Dr Thomas, pictured, told the Times townships benefited from direct political representation.

“It allows greater contact with the political process and locals can make use of the service provided,” he said.

“Certainly, towns that have had electorate offices and lose them are not happy.”

The Times recently reported concerns from Manjimup Shire president Paul Omo-dei that too many major regional centres were ignored for the sake of electorate offices in Bunbury and Perth.

The Times understands Labor’s Alannah MacTiernan is to be based in Albany, while colleague Sally Talbot remains in Eaton, which will be the new base for new Nationals MLC and former City of Bunbury councillor James Hayward.

Legalise Cannabis WA representative Sophia Moermond will represent the South West from Perth.