Labor electoral reform defended

New Margaret River-based Labor MLC Jackie Jarvis says Upper House candidates had no idea about the Premier’s electoral reform push which could see regional WA stripped of direct representation. Labor’s newly-installed country MPs face claims of dishonesty from Opposition members angered at the reform legislation set for passage in Parliament thanks to the Government’s majority. Mrs Jarvis said Mark McGowan was “clear during the election campaign that reform was not on his agenda”. “Prior to the election, no one could have imagined that our electoral system would be gamed to allow someone to be elected with just 98 primary votes, while parties that got thousands of votes didn’t get up,” she said. “The current system is clearly broken and undemocratic.” South West Nationals MLC James Hayward alleged Mrs Jarvis had “misled the community” in supporting the changes to local representation. “Jackie Jarvis was complicit in the Premier lying to the community and it is an absolute disgrace that she wants the people of the South West to have less representation in Parliament,” he said. “Under Mrs Jarvis’ and Mr McGowan’s new plan, there is nothing to stop people from Perth holding these seats, instead of people from our community who understand our issues. “Mrs Jarvis and Mr McGowan should have come clean with our community about their intentions and given them the opportunity to vote on this outrageous plan at the last election.” Liberal MLC Steve Thomas said it was “a tragic day for democracy and regional WA”. Liberal colleague and Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said the reforms would see members representing their political parties rather than distinct regions. “This shock announcement was made shortly after the election and came with no mandate to do so, given the Premier had denied that this issue was on the agenda, not once, but seven times in the lead up to the State election,” she said. “These (regional) issues, while vitally important to our State’s interests … are unlikely to consume the same attention of metropolitan members.” Warren-Blackwood Labor MP Jane Kelsbie reiterated that reforms were not on the agenda before the election. “WA Labor has 21 regional members across the Parliament,” she said. “We are proud to be a voice for regional WA. “We are the party for all Western Australians, and regional communities will continue to be represented.” Mr Hayward said Labor should support a referendum on the proposed changes. Mrs Jarvis said she had no plan to relocate her office from Margaret River.