Chapman Valley farmer Kirrilee Warr set to become next Geraldton member following successful campaign

Geraldton is set for a new leader, with Nationals candidate Kirrilee Warr in the box seat to become the city’s next local member of Parliament. While Labor claimed a resounding State victory, they suffered strong swings against them in key regional seats. While Geraldton has changed hands, others remained too close to call. On Monday morning, the Nationals (28.8 per cent) held a 1059-vote lead in the primary count over Labor (24.3 per cent), followed closely by independent and former mayor Shane van Styn (20.7 per cent). Liberal candidate Tim Milnes had 15.8 per cent of primary votes. With 73.9 per cent of votes counted, Ms Warr (63.6 per cent) was well ahead on a two-party preferred basis over incumbent, first-term Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton (36.4 per cent). Ms Warr’s win would be the first time a Nationals candidate has been elected as the member for Geraldton since 1947. Ms Warr did not officially declare victory but said she was hopeful of the result. “I’m very much looking forward to representing Geraldton and being the member that you want me to be,” she said. “You’ve instilled that trust and faith in me, and I will do my utmost best to ensure that I do represent the voices here in Geraldton, and that we do make Geraldton matter and get our fair share for this region. “That is my promise to you, and I will do everything I can to do that.” The change marked a 25.3 per cent swing against Labor in Geraldton, which prompted Nationals leader Shane Love, who took out the new Mid-West seat, to call it a change in mindset for the local population. “It shows a fundamental shift here in the Mid West towards the National Party,” Mr Love said. “The party that’s seen to be delivering and speaking for the community on issues that are important to the community, and we know that our message has been resonating here in Geraldton. “Justice has been resonating throughout the electorate of Mid-West that surrounds it, and you’ve seen that election of Kirra, and my election at the Mid-West for the first time, in a very strong showing for the National Party.” An emotional Ms Dalton conceded at about 9pm on Saturday. As she was about to deliver her speech to her Labor supporters, Ms Dalton received a call from Premier Roger Cook. “I’ll talk to you first, Premier can wait,” she said. Plenty of emotion filled the room on the night, with Ms Dalton apologising, saying she “just couldn’t quite get there”. “I’m bitterly disappointed, of course, that I’m not going to be able to keep on the trajectory that I started in 2021 because I had great plans for Geraldton,” she said. “But all I can say is, thank you to all my volunteers and the people that have worked for us.” Ms Dalton said she was proud of the work done over the past four years, but the delivery of the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment was her crowning achievement. “We’re going to build that bloody thing, but it was me who got it over the line,” she said. “I’m really, really proud of that. Through my advocacy, we’re going to have the radiation oncology unit and five more dialysis chairs in Geraldton, which is something that means the world to the people of Geraldton.” Sandra Carr, who was set to be re-elected to the Legislative Council, said she had mixed feelings about her result given the result of her Lower House colleague. “It is bittersweet to be re-elected while my friend and colleague Lara Dalton is not,” she said. “I know how hard Lara worked over the past four years, and how much she has achieved and delivered for us. “She has much to be proud of and I am confident she will continue to contribute to our region going forward.” At Wonthella Bowling Club, jubilant Nationals supporters were hopeful their candidate had done enough. Ms Warr, a farmer and Chapman Valley shire president, told supporters on the night the numbers were looking good for her. “We had our backs against the wall, we took everything out there, we absolutely left nothing in the tank. . . I’m standing here right now, I’m feeling good and I’m feeling really hopeful about what it could be in the coming day for Geraldton,” she said. “I am so thankful for the trust and the faith that the people of Geraldton have given me and potentially are going to give me. We haven’t called this seat quite yet. What we do know is the numbers are looking outstanding. “It really is time to make Geraldton matter ... I’m very passionate about my town, it’s my heart and it’s my home and it is for many others. “I cannot underestimate this next step. The work is going to be incredible, but I am all for it.” The news of Ms Dalton conceding was met with a roar from supporters, with Ms Warr moving a step closer to Parliament. Ms Warr said she would await the result from the WAEC before making an official declaration. As of Monday morning, Labor had secured 41 seats, the Liberals five and the Nationals four.