Sharon Webb

Federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell has rented a building on the main street in Westbury in the fight to retain his seat in the coming federal election.

A former pizza shop on Meander Valley Road is being renovated as Mr Mitchell’s Meander Valley base in the sprawling electorate of Lyons. His current office is in Perth.

Mr Mitchell said the Westbury campaign office would not be open to the public but his team would use it for storage and as an election signage point. ‘We’ll use it for meetings and as a launchpad as the election kicks off,’ he said.

The choice of Westbury for an office is significant. Mr Mitchell’s Liberal opponent Susie Bower lives there. Ms Bower recently resigned her seat on the Meander Valley Council to focus on her federal election campaign.

In addition, local dissatisfaction over the choice of the Birralee Road site near Westbury as a location for a new northern prison may spill over as an election issue into the federal arena.

The prison site issue is currently in limbo because the recently announced closure of Ashley Detention Centre puts that location in play as another site option for the new prison.

On the choice of prison site Mr Mitchell said his view is that if the site changes from the Brushy Creek Reserve to the Ashley Detention centre site, the State Government must consult Deloraine residents.

Like many other politicians, Mr Mitchell is keeping his ear to the ground for a possible Federal election date.

In June and July, there was talk of an October election. In August there was talk of a November election. 

It’s becoming apparent that March may be a more realistic option. The Morrison government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is viewed negatively by many Australians, as is the government’s confusing global warming stance and the controversy over the axing of the French submarine deal. 

The Federal election must be held by May 2022.