Home

WA National Vince Catania to re-contest sprawling North West Central seat in 2021 State Election

Tom ZaunmayrKalgoorlie Miner
Drought in WA's Southern Range Lands. Nationals MP Vince Catania at Granite Peak.
Camera IconDrought in WA's Southern Range Lands. Nationals MP Vince Catania at Granite Peak. Credit: The West Australian, Simon Santi The West Australian

Incumbent WA Nationals MP Vince Catania will vie for a fourth term in office representing the State’s biggest Lower House electorate.

The Carnarvon-based MP has re-nominated for North West Central, which covers more than 800,000sqkm in the Goldfields, Pilbara and Mid West regions.

Kalbarri was added to the seat in last year’s boundary redraw, a move which will come into effect at the 2021 State election.

Mr Catania won the seat as a Labor member in 2008, before defecting in 2009 to the WA Nationals.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Royalties for Regionsprograms changed and improved the lives of regional communities and businesses, providing many services and facilities taken for granted in the metro areas ... the Labor Government has taken (that) away,” he said.

“Capping airfares to regions at no more than $200 one-way along with maximising regional FIFO opportunities to create jobs in towns will go a long way to assisting local businesses to remain sustainable and encourage people to live in the regions.

“This city-centric Labor Government shows it is disconnected and lacks an understanding of the vast differences between metro and regional areas, with little understanding of what’s actually happening on the ground.”

Mr Catania commands a 9.5 per cent margin as of 2017 — 6 per cent higher than when he was first elected.

Over the course of the current term he has been on the front foot advocating for cheaper airfares, drought relief funding and improvements to health facilities in small towns dotted across the electorate.

He was at the centre of a quashed 2019 bid to turf Jacqui Boydell as WA Nationals deputy leader.

Pre-selections ahead of the 2021 State Election are currently taking place for all parties.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails