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Nationals WA candidate Bevan Eatts says Warren-Blackwood voters ‘tired’ of Labor ignoring communities

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
Nationals WA candidate Bevan Eatts says Warren-Blackwood communities are sick of being ignored by Labor.
Camera IconNationals WA candidate Bevan Eatts says Warren-Blackwood communities are sick of being ignored by Labor. Credit: Warren Hately/Augusta-Margaret R/Augusta-Margaret River Times

Nationals WA contender Bevan Eatts believes the electorate is tired of the State’s Labor Government ignoring the region and failing to listen to voters.

While not denying his underdog status in toppling first-term incumbent Jane Kelsbie, in a detailed interview with the Times the Manjimup-based farmer and businessman said his rival was too muzzled by senior Labor colleagues to be effective in the community.

“Labor’s got to be held to account for some of their legislation they’ve rushed through,” he said.

“We’ve got to stand up and say no.”

Mr Eatts said regional communities across Warren-Blackwood were severely overlooked by Labor during the past term of government, ignoring the vital role they played in the State’s economy.

“No one knows better what they need than the people who live in these communities and they need to be listened to,” he said.

The cost-of-living crisis, lack of investment in housing and place-based health care, undermining the farming sector and an over-focus on metropolitan issues meant many voters across the electorate had had enough, the candidate claimed.

But he also didn’t see an easy path to victory next year — for him or rival Liberal candidate Wade de Campo — because of the party’s support for Ms Kelsbie and desperation to hold on to some of the ground gained in regional WA.

“The incumbent has always got the advantage,” Mr Eatts said.

“We’ve got to campaign in our spare time while still doing our jobs.”

Recent polling as well as analysis from election expert William Bowe has tipped the Labor will lose Warren-Blackwood at next year’s March poll but some polls have indicated the opposite.

The traditional Nationals WA stronghold was seized amid a tidal wave of support for ex-premier Mark McGowan after his COVID-19 handling, with that vote unlikely to be replicated, pundits said.

However, Ms Kelsbie has rejected that analysis and stood by her track record on the ground in Warren-Blackwood since 2021.

In so doing, she also rejected Mr Eatts’ claims her junior status hindered her effectiveness representing voters.

“As part of the Labor team, I’ve got a seat at the table and a say in the decisions that affect our community,” she said.

“I regularly host ministers in our patch to see firsthand the opportunities and challenges we face.

“This approach has led to significant investment and attention on the South West and Great Southern regions since I was elected.”

Shire of Manjimup councillor Wade de Campo told the Times the change in the electoral boundaries favoured the conservative vote and put Labor on notice.

Ms Kelsbie noted the pollsters “got it wrong in 2021” and accepted the underdog title despite seeing it as irrelevant.

Instead, she said her focus was on “working hard every day” for all residents in her patch.

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