Major parties battling over Geraldton seat so city set to benefit from investment

The seat of Geraldton is shaping to be a key battleground for the major political parties, with the region set to benefit as a result.

Last week alone, Nationals leader Shane Love, Labor Minister Paul Papalia and Liberal leader Libby Mettam visited Geraldton to announce funding for a variety of projects should their party form government.

The Liberals have opened their chequebook, pledging at least $70 million so far for Geraldton-specific projects, with health a priority.

They announced $45m on Friday for a Geraldton-based RFDS base and two helicopters, while last year $25m was committed to funding a local radiation oncology service.

Ms Mettam said the seat was an important one.

“This is a key seat for the WA Liberal Party. It’s a seat that we have held before,” she said.

“We’ve got a strong candidate in Tim Milnes, who’s a strong advocate for better health services as well as real consequences when it comes to the crime wave that we’ve seen right across regional WA.”

Labor indicated it had strong plans for the electorate, earlier this month unveiling its Vision for Geraldton.

While several projects within the document are already funded, at least $81.4m has been promised towards future projects.

Among them include 12 family and domestic violence refuge units, a radiation oncology service and a new gymnasium for Champion Bay Senior High School.

However, Premier Roger Cook insisted all seats were a target for his party.

“We don’t take anything for granted in this election. We make sure that we go and talk to every single voter in this State,” he said.

“We are out there talking to the community, getting feedback, putting great policies in place, because we have a plan and we have a vision for making this State strong.”

In the first three weeks of 2025, Labor ministers have visited the city three times, with the Premier making the journey himself on one of those occasions.

Labor’s Lara Dalton holds the seat by a margin of 9.3 per cent.

The Nationals, with its candidate Kirrilee Warr, have also promised funding for Geraldton of at least $55.3m for local projects.

Among them are a Mid West-based rescue chopper, and funding for an oncology service in Geraldton.

The Nationals were contacted for comment.

Advertising for all major candidates is ramping up with less than six weeks to go until the March 8 election.

One person who could also influence the result is former City of Greater Geraldton mayor and independent candidate, Shane Van Styn.

With the Geraldton seat tipped to be close, Mr Van Styn said his role, win or lose, was to champion the region.

He believed the best way to do this was to force change.

“The people are tired of Labor neglecting the regions, but they’re also a bit confused by who some of the other people are in the game,” he said.

“I absolutely believe that the election will be decided by who people put second or third on their ballot papers.

“I’m running not just to win the seat, but to ensure that Labor does not.”

Mr Van Styn warned the promises by each of the parties did not mean the projects would come to fruition.