WA election: Rock art and inquisitions dominate on the campaign trail
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The leaders were out and about in regional Western Australia today for more election announcements.
The Barnett Government announced it would seek world heritage listing for the Burrup Peninsula rock art if it secured a third term in office.
Colin Barnett flew to the Pilbara to make the announcement, describing the Indigenous rock art in the area as being of international importance.
"I and many other people have a view that this is of such global significance that the national park area should be given the status of world heritage listing," the Premier said.
"People will travel the world, they will come from all over the world to see this unique concentration of rock art."
Mr Barnett fended off a question about why, after eight years in government, he had waited until two weeks before the election to begin the push for heritage listing.
He said he had begun discussions with traditional owners last year.
"I think there is a broad agreement that this is of world significance and now is the time to act to protect it," he said.
One Nation wants juries scrapped, judges elected
With polls showing its popularity booming, and some pundits believing the party will win several seats at the coming election, One Nation has spent the past fortnight rolling out policy ideas.
Pauline Hanson's party is now proposing radical change to the judicial system, which it describes as "completely dysfunctional".
Under its idea, magistrates and judges would be elected instead of appointed and trial-by-jury would be abolished.
It also wants the current adversarial legal system scrapped, to be replaced by a European-style inquisitorial approach.
Shooting the messenger
And as the WA election campaign heads into its final two weeks, Mr Barnett has more than just WA Labor in his sights.
The Premier's frustration with the media bubbled over after the publication of a photo of him inadvertently posing with anti-Roe 8 protesters at the Rottnest Channel Swim.
The protesters had anti-Liberal messages written on their arms.
Mr Barnett said he was clearly tricked into the stunt, and attacked the media for giving it publicity.
He also accused journalists of not adequately scrutinising Labor's policies.
"I think I've come under a lot of scrutiny over my political career. I accept that. I think you get good and bad publicity," he said.
"What frustrates me in this campaign is there's been virtually no scrutiny of what the Labor Party has put forward."
Premier has bigger worries
But Labor leader Mark McGowan said the Premier had bigger things to worry about, such as the honesty of one Liberal hopeful.
"Instead of worrying about the performance of the media, I think the Premier needs to answer for the performance of Liberal candidates calling into radio programs telling lies," he said.
"I think that's a pretty important issue about honesty in WA."
Mr McGowan was referring to Liberal candidate Wade De Campo who lied about his identity when calling-in to speak to the him during an on-air interview in the South-West.
Mr McGowan also continued his attack on the Government's plan to sell part of Western Power, and said the utility would remain in public hands and employ more than 50 apprentices a year under a Labor government.
Topics: elections, political-parties, wa
