Candidate aims at the big issues

Health, crime and education are at the top of the list of issues most in need of reform, according to the Pilbara’s Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate.

Wickham resident Fiona White-Hartig has had a long association with politics, having worked at State and Federal Government level, as well as sitting on the City of Karratha Council for nearly 10 years.

While issues close to Ms White-Hartig’s heart are driving her policy platform, it is the WA Nationals’ proposed special lease rental that she said pushed her to throw her hat in the ring.

“I have seen the strain that the downturn has caused to people and it has been very distressing watching people lose their house, lose their livelihood and have to leave the region,” she said.

Ms White-Hartig said while she agreed State Agreements needed to be revisited, a $5 levy on the two major employers in the current economic climate would be the “final nail in the coffin” for Pilbara towns.

She said the Pilbara should be home to state-of-the-art medical facilities and a more comprehensive list of subjects at schools to stop the need to travel to Perth for health and education.

“I have teenage kids that I have to send away to boarding school and I know there are a lot of other families here in the same situation because they can’t get access to the subjects they need to study,” she said.

“I am concerned that we are building a new health campus with old equipment being moved over.”

On crime, Ms White-Hartig said she would push for private security patrols, an issue called for by the Karratha City Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association.

Other issues on Ms White-Hartig’s agenda include an audit of the Pilbara Underground Power Project, funding to seal the Karratha to Tom Price road, limiting the practice of fly-in, fly-out workers and funding security for indigenous ranger programs.