The ALP sent its Shadow Cabinet on a four-day tour of Western Australia this week, in the hope to consolidate public belief in its commitment to the West.

Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, joined WA Premier, the Hon Mark McGowan MLA, in a joint meeting of the State Cabinet and Federal Shadow Cabinet, with state politicians looking to brief their federal counterparts on issues such as health, education, economic development and federal-state relations.

Premier McGowan stated that the ALP had shown ‘a real interest in our state, a commitment to fixing the GST and commitment to infrastructure in WA… Bill Shorten has been here on 38 occasions since he’s been the Federal Opposition Labor- which must be some sort of record’.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, highlighted their commitment to Western Australian infrastructure, pledging $850 million to a Perth rail project and $50 million for a Railcar Manufacturing Facility.

The four-day tour clearly indicates the importance that the West will hold in the upcoming Federal Election.

On Thursday, Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, countered with the Government’s own infrastructure announcement, announcing a $70 million congestion-busting package for outer Melbourne.

‘It will mean faster, safer and more reliable access between the Princes Freeway and Princes Highway, as well as into the Pakenham town centre,’ he said.