Opposition Leader Peter Dutton hones in on mining industry in bid to cut through with WA voters

Peter Dutton says a thriving mining industry in the West is integral to the national economy, as he vowed to support the sector while meeting with Liberal faithfuls in Perth. Taking aim at red tape hampering the expansion of the national resources sector, Mr Dutton said it was a “disaster” for WA that countries like Africa were “winning out” against the State in a bid to meet global demand for resources. “It’s hard to get a mine approved (and) it’s hard to get the most basic of applications through and we’re seeing capital leave WA to go to Africa or elsewhere,” Mr Dutton said. “The government I lead will make sure that we put WA front and centre of our economic policy. “We want to support mining (and) we want to see it thrive because when WA is strong, our country is strong.” The comments came after the Opposition Leader received a celebrity welcome at the Mount Pleasant Bowling Club on Sunday, where he attended a party-run barbecue in support of Tangney candidate Howard Ong. Alongside WA senators Michaelia Cash and Matt O’Sullivan, the event was also attended by a number of State candidates, including Aswath Chavittupara — the father of Aishwarya Aswath — who is contesting the seat of Morley against Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. It’s the first time Mr Dutton has campaigned alongside the “inspiring” Mr Ong, as the Liberals zone in on seats including Tangney, which is a must-win for the party, at the next election. Mr Ong, was preselected for the seat — lost by the Liberals at the last election to Labor’s Sam Lim — after the party’s first candidate, former SAS soldier and Survivor contestant Mark Wales pulled out. The event was part of a five-day trip around the State for the Opposition leader and his wife Kirilly – who made a stop in the Kimberley before returning to Perth and attending the barbecue which was also attended by Senator Michaelia Cash. “I feel very much at home when I come to WA. I think there’s a great affinity between Queensland and Western Australia,” he said. “I want to make sure that we can continue to drive this economy, because if Western Australia doesn’t perform well, then we’re not paying for roads, we’re not paying for schools, we’re not paying for the NDIS, we’re not paying for aged care “I want to see WA continue to be the amazing state that it is and I’ll continue to come here as I have in the past.” Mr Dutton was then scheduled to head to the Goldfields to stop off at the opening day of the annual mining talkfest Diggers and Dealers – where members of his team confirmed he would be speaking.