On Sunday it was revealed that Pauline Hanson has done a deal with Colin Barnett to exchange preferences at the upcoming election.
It’s a surprising move, especially given some of Mr Barnett’s comments disparaging One Nation in recent weeks. But it’s real and you can read about it here.
What is clear from this move is that Colin Barnett is desperate to cling to power, and Pauline Hanson is just another politician. She’s prepared to sell out her supporters to win seats in Parliament.
What this means is that a vote for Pauline Hanson and One Nation is now a vote to re-elect Colin Barnett and for the same Liberal policies that have lead us to the current economic situation.
It’s a vote for another four years of a Barnett Government that has seen 94,500 Western Australians out of work, a Barnett Government that has seen 9000 manufacturing jobs lost between 2009 and 2016, and a Barnett Government that has seen apprenticeship commencements dropping by 12.6% in 2016.
It’s a vote for the same policies that have given government projects to foreign companies and sent jobs overseas. It’s a vote for the same policies that failed to fight for defence contracts and lost hundreds of shipbuilding jobs to South Australia. It’s a vote to bring in more overseas workers instead of making sure we train locals with the skills for the jobs of the future.
Put simply, it’s a vote for more of the same. And WA can’t afford more of the same from the next State Government.
Pauline Hanson and One Nation have lost any credibility as a party that can deliver change for our state and our economy. Over the next few days, please take some time to talk to your friends, families and workmates and make sure they know about this One Nation - Liberal Party preference deal and what it means.
We desperately need a State Government with a real plan to create jobs and opportunities in Western Australia. One Nation will try to pretend its offering an alternative to the current situation but this deal has revealed the truth of the matter.
On March 11th, don’t forget that a vote for One Nation is a vote for the same Liberal policies that created the mess we’re in now.