On my first day as Labor Leader I travelled to the West Coast to talk to workers in aquaculture and mining about their jobs.

Today, I’m pleased to be heading back there to tell the community about Labor’s plan for a Fresh Start for the West Coast.

The West Coast is the engine room of Tasmania’s economy. Labor is the strongest supporter of the vital jobs that keep this engine running, and I will never stop backing them in.

Unlike Jeremy Rockliff – who has already floated the idea of trading off his support for industry for support of the crossbench – I won’t make any concessions when it comes to my backing for traditional industries.

Labor has also promised to establish a childcare centre on the West Coast, so more families can be supported to live and work in the region.

We know that access to healthcare is a big issue on the West Coast, which is why we are committed to establishing a Nurse-First Regional Clinic at the West Coast District Hospital, led by a nurse practitioner supported by a team of allied health professionals.

We will also retain the funding in the budget for the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway, so it can continue to be a drawcard for tourism and support jobs into the future.

I’m proud of my West Coast roots and I’ll always stand up for the region.

After 11 years of the Liberals it’s time for a Fresh Start for the West Coast, and the only way to see that happen is to vote Labor.

Labor’s plan for a Fresh Start for the West Coast:

• Continue to wholeheartedly back the resource and aquaculture sectors which are the engine room of Tasmania’s economy
• Establish a Nurse-First Regional Clinic at the West Coast District Hospital, led by a nurse practitioner supported by a team of allied health professionals
• Ensure ambulance staff are permanently employed on the West Coast to guarantee consistent coverage
• $500,000 to work with the West Coast council to open and operate a new small child care service in the region
• Support tourism by retaining budgeted funding for West Coast Wilderness railway

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader