Geraldton member-elect Kirrilee Warr says transition from farmer to State politician won’t change who she is

Resiliency, displaying leadership through difficult periods and making sacrifices are all qualities Geraldton’s next MP has faced throughout her time as a farmer. Running a grain farm in Chapman Valley hasn’t been easy according to Kirrilee Warr, but she said her experience as a farmer in a small community would hold her in good stead as she prepares to make her mark in State politics. Ms Warr declared victory last week, making her the first elected Nationals candidate in Geraldton since 1947 and just the second woman in the seat’s history. In her first in-depth interview, Ms Warr said sacrifice was all part of the journey as she spoke to the Geraldton Guardian at her farm. “There’s a significant amount of time and time management that’s required to get to where I’ve got to today,” she said. “I’ve always been proud of my track record in leading with integrity, and I have always prided myself on managing where possible my conflicts of interest. “There is a level of personal sacrifice that you do make, but it’s not to say I’m not interested or won’t be interested again, or my eyes, heart, and ears aren’t back to where it started at the grassroots level.” Taking time away from not only her farming business but also relinquishing her role as Chapman Valley shire president, as well as recently stepping down from roles on boards to prepare for a career in State politics, are just some of the sacrifices Ms Warr made. However, she said the skills she had learned throughout her life would transfer well to politics. “I’m very resilient. I’ve had a few challenges in life; farming is not an easy operation and neither is business,” she said. “We’re proving to be successful in our farm business; (it) takes a lot of business acumen, which has very transferable skills across lots of different places. “Being embedded in your community and having those opportunities to help, volunteer and lead, I think it’s all transferable.” While yet to be sworn in officially, Ms Warr said her election victory had only just begun to sink in, with the Nationals unveiling its elected team on Monday. Four of the eight-member team are from the Mid West: Ms Warr, Nationals leader and Mid-West MP Shane Love and the party’s two newly-elected MLCs, Mullewa’s Julie Freeman and Northampton’s Rob Horstman. Ms Warr maintained while it was an honour, it wasn’t about the title. “It’s about continuing the good work of others that have gone before me,” she said. “I stand on the shoulders of many, especially within the National Party such as Brendon Grylls and the like that left a huge legacy behind in terms of what you can do in politics. “I just hope to continue to build on that.” The party now has more Lower House representatives, with gains in Albany, Warren-Blackwood and Geraldton. Ms Warr put it down to being consistent in messaging across the State, no matter the issue. “The Nationals ran a very united campaign on issues that mattered to the regions as well as to the metropolitan,” she said. “It was a statewide campaign that was very unified and well led. “With a leader such as Shane Love and a deputy leader in Peter Rundle, lots of political experience, the whole team just got behind them, and they got behind us as candidates as well.” While for the past four years the seat of Geraldton had a local representative in Government, the next four will see Ms Warr be part of the opposition. When asked about how difficult she expected the role to be, she said it was about having conversations and not shying away from asking the hard questions. Ms Warr said she would do all she could to raise Geraldton’s profile, with crime a top priority on her list. “I’ll definitely be calling for some briefings with the appropriate ministers, whether that’s the minister for police or minister for juvenile justice,” she said. “I still stand firm on what the Nationals took to the election and campaigned hard on and that’s stopping it before it starts, and making sure there’s resources put in place in terms of diversion and intervention.” Improving the voice of the community was also a priority, and she believes the community should have a greater say on topics such as developments within the region. The city’s Olive Street Housing Project was one where she welcomed the initiative of the city but believed the State could have played a greater role generally in building homes in the community for the vulnerable population. She also said tourism was important, saying the region had plenty of opportunity but there was a lack of support for growth. “It doesn’t matter where you go, whether it’s hinterland or coastal, we’ve certainly we’ve got a lot to offer in terms of its natural beauty and historical significance,” Ms Warr said. “We probably need some investment into that and how we do that is to plan for it.” Ms Warr said her campaign was about showing integrity and respect, as well as an ability to listen and show empathy. She said being genuine was what resonated within the local community. “I’m just the everyday mother, wife, farmer, and that’s I think what resonated with people,” she said. “I’m authentic in who I am, I don’t try to be anything that I’m not, and I’m pretty honest in saying that.” For Ms Warr, stepping into Parliament House will involve sacrifice, but it won’t change who she is. While she’ll be spending time across Perth, Geraldton and her Chapman Valley farm, the latter will always be home. “It’s an hour’s drive to Kalbarri, it’s an hour’s drive to Mullewa, and it’s an hour’s drive to Geraldton,” she said. “It’s quite a nice little analogy of the heartbeat of the electorate.” State Parliament will resume on April 8.