Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan not happy government agencies endorsed Geraldton election wish-list

WA Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has spoken sternly to two Geraldton-based Government agencies for endorsing the Progress Midwest list of State Election Priorities. “When you have what is essentially a political manifesto going into an election, you can’t have government agencies putting their logos on a document like that,” she said. She spoke after Progress Midwest chair Shane Van Styn claimed she had placed a “gag order” on the Mid West Development Commission and Mid West Ports Authority supporting projects developed collectively. “No, there is no gag order and I have always absolutely encouraged the development commission and port authority to work as part of Progress Midwest,” she said. “The development commission and the port have a critical role in planning collaborations across the region.” Ms MacTiernan, pictured, said her Government would be presenting its own list of election commitments, and acknowledged Mr Van Styn, who is also City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, had his own priorities for Geraldton. “We all want great things for the Mid West,” she said. “The last time we were in government we were able to achieve some pretty major transformations for the Mid West, and I’d love to see us do that again.” Mr Van Styn branded the minister’s action “political interference”. “It’s particularly disappointing it is occurring at the same time as government advertising is being distributed across Geraldton heavily featuring the deputy chair of the MWDC and director of MWPA ... Lara Dalton,” he said. Ms Dalton stood as the Labor candidate for Geraldton in 2017 and has nominated for Labor preselection in the coming State election. She was unavailable for comment. Earlier this year Mr Van Styn, who has stood more than once for the Nationals, said he was considering standing as an independent. Last week Progress Midwest, an umbrella group that researches and promotes economic development proposals, issued a list of nine election priorities for development requiring government funding of $689 million. It included a call for a $120m full health campus redevelopment. The State Government has committed $73.3m to the project. When asked what a “full” redevelopment entailed, Progress Midwest spokeswoman Trish Palmonari referred to Mid West Development Commission chief executive Gavin Treasure, who did not return calls. Ms MacTiernan said the development commission, as a Government agency, should not have endorsed the Progress Midwest election wish list. “You can’t have government agencies having a separate set of election priorities to the Government of the day,” she said. The Progress Midwest document was signed by Mr Van Styn, as mayor of Geraldton, and the chairs of Mid West Ports, Mid West Development Commission, and the other member organisations. They are Pollinators Inc, Regional Development Australia Midwest Gascoyne, the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Master Builders Association Midwest and Northwest, Midwest Horticulture Growers Group, Tourism Geraldton, and Geraldton Universities Centre.