Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles to be snubbed by McGowan at $15m infrastructure announcement

A Labor government would add 44,000 jobs and $13.3 billion to the West Australian economy through a multi-million-dollar infrastructure investment in Perth’s northern suburbs. Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles will on Wednesday announce $15 million to support key infrastructure around the Neerabup industrial area, making the precinct more accessible and open to growing business opportunities and permanent jobs in the area. Along with the McGowan Government, Mr Marles will pledge an Albanese Government will upgrade Flynn Drive. It will also fund the realignment of Neaves Road. Labor will say future growth will continue to be stymied by inadequate road infrastructure and the Morrison Government. Interestingly, Premier Mark McGowan will again snub his federal Labor counterparts, by not attending Wednesday’s announcement. This is despite Mr McGowan doing a media event and doorstop alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the Premier’s first day out of self-imposed quarantine last week. When Labor Leader Anthony Albanese visited earlier this month Mr McGowan only did a closed-door meeting where supplied photos were sent out to media. Mr McGowan was asked why he was distancing himself from Federal Labor during the PM’s event and said when the election was properly called he would put on the red Labor shirt and campaign for Mr Albanese to become prime minister. But his absence at another high-profile visit to the state will speak volumes. As of late Tuesday night only Planning Minister Rita Safioti and WA Lands Minister John Carey were due to attend Mr Marles’ event. Ms Safioti also attended the event with Mr McGowan and Mr Morrison last week. Mr Marles, Labor’s shadow employment spokesman, will make the announcement in the electorate of Pearce which is former Attorney-General Christian Porter’s seat and is Liberal held by a margin of 5.2 per cent. Polling suggests that Labor will claim the seat for the first time through Wanneroo mayor Tracey Roberts. Ms Roberts and Cowan MP Anne Aly will also be with Mr Marles for the announcement. Cowan is the most marginal WA seat, held by Labor’s Anne Aly on a margin of 0.9 per cent. “Federal Labor will partner with the McGowan Labor Government, to make sure those in the north are no longer neglected- the way they have been by the Morrison Government,” Mr Marles told The West Australian. “For too long, the Morrison Government haven’t been delivering for those in the northern suburbs, and only an Albanese Labor Government, with good local representation, like Anne in Cowan and Tracey Roberts in Pearce will be able to deliver that.” Dr Aly, the first female Muslim MP in the federal parliament said she had been fighting for the expansion of the Neerabup Industrial Precinct for years. “I’m thrilled that an Albanese Labor government will make this possible. This investment will allow people in Perth’s northern suburbs who’re forced to travel every day for their work to have jobs closer to home,” Dr Aly said. Ms Roberts said the investment would “unlock so much potential for local business”.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles to be snubbed by McGowan at $15m infrastructure announcement

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