Busselton small business owner Peter Gordon has been named as the Nationals WA candidate for Vasse in the upcoming state election in March.
The Nationals confirmed Mr Gordon would run for the seat against Liberal member Libby Mettam this morning.
Mr Gordon previously contested the seat of Vasse at the 2014 by-election where he attracted an unprecedented 28.53 per cent of the primary vote, losing the seat in the two-candidate preferred race by just 1,347 votes.
Mr Gordon lives in Busselton with his partner and three sons and has strong links to regional WA and the South West, boasting a diverse background in agriculture, small business, tourism and grassroots community engagement.
Mr Gordon said he was excited to join the Nationals team that is taking up the fight on behalf of regional West Australians.
“I am proud to join the tea with a plan that will protect Royalties for Regions and create new jobs by getting our fair share of iron ore revenue, lifting the burden of payroll tax on regional small businesses,” he said.
“Royalties for Regions is too important to risk, we need to safeguard this important program to ensure we can continue to invest in significant projects.
“Here in Vasse, some key projects delivered by Royalties for Regions include the $45.9 million upgrade to the Busselton Regional Airport, $40 million investment in the Busselton Health Campus, $6.1 million for the Busselton Foreshore Redevelopment and the Regional Events Scheme.”
A committee member of the Busselton Chamber of Commerce Industry and board member of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, Mr Gordon said he was particularly passionate about the National’s proposal to reform payroll tax for small to medium business.
“As a small business owner and employer, I understand payroll tax is a handbrake to investment and growth,” he said.
“Small business is the backbone of the state’s economy and it’s important we have a legislative and taxation framework that helps rather than hinder the sector.
“Major payroll tax reductions will help stimulate employment and make it easier for employers to invest in equipment, infrastructure and hire new workers.”
Mr Gordon will champion the Nationals recent $610 million tourism strategy to transform the sector and diversify the state’s economy.
“Tourism is a vital industry for the Vasse electorate and the broader South West,” he said.
“We’re the home to a number of world class tourist destinations and it is important that business owners, operators and providers are best placed to attract tourists from across Australia and the world.
“I welcome the focus on tourism to diversify the economy and generate jobs across regional WA.”
