Candidates pause in poll truce

An election truce was declared across the State this week, with the three major political parties agreeing to halt their campaigns as the southern half of WA battled twin emergencies. The Labor, Liberal and National parties agreed to put a hold on announcing election commitments, doorknocking and delivering campaign material while the Perth, Peel and South West regions were under an emergency COVID-19 lockdown. This included Geraldton candidates Lara Dalton, Rob Dines and Ian Blayney, despite the region not being subject to lockdown restrictions or the bushfires that have devastated the eastern fringes of Perth. The Nationals Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney, said he had still managed to keep busy, delivering alphabet and times table charts to schools and childcare centres around the city, as he did at the start of most school years. He said while he was obeying the direction, Mr Blayney was concerned about how campaigning would be affected if the lockdown was extended. “It seems to have been pretty much obeyed in this part of the world, but I’ve heard quite a few grumbles from colleagues in other parts of the State,” he said. “Labor seem to still be carrying out a lot of advertising and made funding announcements earlier in the week. “I sort of wonder what we do if we extended the lockdown for another week, are we expected to sit on our hands for another week? “Main Roads have asked us to take our signs down by the highway...which we are unable to put back up until campaigning resumes.” Ms Dalton, Labor’s candidate for Geraldton, said people had more important things on their minds this week than an election. “All campaigns across the State are on hold until after Friday...in the metro area it’s probably a lot more about social distancing as everyone is in a lock down and can’t leave their homes,” she said. “But I think people have more important things on their mind at the moment, there’s a lot going on, particularly with the bushfires (in the Perth Hills). It’s about being kind,” she said. “It will be nice to get back out and meet with community groups about their issues and concerns, I had to cancel a few things this week which everyone was very supportive and completely understanding of.” She asked if locals could keep Perth people who were under lockdown or affected by bushfires in their thoughts and donate to the City of Perth Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund if they could afford to.