Labor leader says Bunbury should not be classed as a safe Liberal seat

The statement was made during an hour long sit-down with the Bunbury Mail after Mr McGowan announced former South West Development Commission chief executive officer Don Punch as the Labor candidate for Bunbury. 

“People in Bunbury are looking for outcomes not broken promises and early next year they will have a very important choice to make,” he said. 

“Don is a great candidate with a proven track record for getting things done. “We are very pleased to have him onboard.”

Traditionally at a state government level the seat of Bunbury has landed in the hands of the government, swinging each time the party in power does too.  

Last week the Mail reported Liberal candidate for Bunbury Ian Morison saying he didn’t think Labor can prevail because of their policies and because he suspects Bunbury is no longer a swing seat. 

South West MLC Adele Farina added her criticism to that comment, labelling it ‘arrogant’. 

“Mr Morrison is completely wrong to say Bunbury is a safe seat,” she said. 

“Under the current Liberal/National government projects have taken longer to deliver here than in other parts of the state. “There is definitely a level of dissatisfaction in the community.”

Mr Punch said if he was to win the election, he won’t be taking anything for granted. 

“The people of Bunbury are looking for new ideas and I would very much like to help mold the future,” he said. 

“Having been a public servant for such a long time I know every aspect of Bunbury’s history and I can tell you that Labor has a great record of making things happen for this city.”

Mr McGowan said Labor saw Mr Punch’s endorsement as a real coup with the long-term public servant praised by both sides of the political divide. 

Hansard records from May quote current Bunbury MLA John Castrilli thanking Mr Punch on the record for his years of dedicated service, noting he has done a fantastic job of promoting the South West and has made an enormous contribution to the region.