The electorate of Forrest is home to WA's largest population outside the Perth metropolitan area, but Federal Government investment in the area is long overdue, according to The Nationals WA candidate for Forrest Luke Pilkington.
"I'll fight to ensure Forrest is no longer taken for granted by the Federal Government and increase the investment delivered into the region, particularly in areas such as health, education, telecommunications and agriculture," Mr Pilkington said.
"I'm passionate about securing greater representation for the people of Forrest in Canberra.
"The only way to reverse the GST rip-off, get rid of the backpacker tax and drive greater investment into regional WA is to Vote 1 for The Nationals WA."
After growing up in Albany and having experience as a tradesman, grazier and student in the region, Mr Pilkington said if elected he would focus on eliminating mobile phone and high-speed internet black spot locations to support families, businesses and communities, reverse the GST rip-off and deliver real results for WA in the federal parliament.
"We need to get rid of the government's ill-conceived backpacker tax," he said.
"Our MPs aren't putting WA first, so securing the funds to improve health and mental health services in regional areas, improve our schools and delivering more services to regional WA simply won't happen if we continue with the status quo."
Mr Pilkington said a strong agricultural sector would boost Australia's productivity, jobs and exports.
"The Nationals have delivered a $4 billion Agriculture White Paper that will support jobs growth in the regions, drive export opportunities for agricultural businesses and encourage investment to ensure Australia remains a globally competitive agriculture producer," he said.
"We are delivering significant commitments to the agriculture sector, including a $200m increase in biosecurity funding, $190m for rural research and development for profit, $100m for pest and weed management, a $2.5b concessional loan program for farmers and a $500m National Water Infrastructure Fund to provide future water security for farmers."
Mr Pilkington said if elected The Nationals would streamline Commonwealth financing and concessional loan processing by establishing a Regional Investment Corporation.
If elected, Mr Pilkington also said he would deliver on the $9.78m funding pledge made by deputy leader Fiona Nash to support the expansion of the Busselton-Margaret River airport.
Mr Pilkington said this would open opportunities for the South West's agriculture, horticulture and wine-making regions to access new and developing export opportunities in international markets.