Energy Minister Bill Johnston apologises for power outages in Mid West following Opposition criticism

Energy Minister Bill Johnston has apologised for power outages which have plagued Dongara and its surrounding communities this summer, while also hitting back by claiming Opposition leader Shane Love doesn’t understand the situation The apologetic response comes after the issue was raised by Mr Love, who represents the local electorate of Moore. Mr Johnston said he recognised the difficult situation the Mid West faced and expressed the State Government’s commitment to address it. “I apologise for power outages, because I know how inconvenient they are,” he said. “That’s why the McGowan Government through Western Power has spent $16 million on improving the network in the Mid West already this financial year. “Western Power, DFES and local governments have also worked together to improve the sharing of information and responding to power outages.” Mr Love raised concern over the blackouts in a speech in Parliament last week. “Residents are fed up to the back teeth with the excuses and promises of improvement, and a minister who believes that if someone lives in the Midwest, they choose to have unreliable power,” he said. “Nothing has changed — the experience in Dongara this summer has been even more woeful than the last.” Mr Johnston also took the opportunity to criticise Mr Love’s understanding of what the Energy Minister described as a complex situation. “Just because Shane Love doesn’t understand the laws of physics doesn’t mean they don’t apply. The supply of electricity to this area is challenging not because of politics but because of physics,” he said. “While the McGowan Government is working with Western Power to use new technologies to improve service, it is true that challenges continue.” In a first for Western Power, the utility has revealed it will wash and silicon live powerlines in and around Dongara via helicopter in order to improve power reliability in the Mid West.