ALP to launch petition over Broome boat cuts

Opposition leader Mark McGowan will attempt to shame Premier Colin Barnett into reinstating funding for the promised Broome boating facility by launching an intense lobbying campaign in State Parliament, starting with a strongly worded petition.

With three years still to go before voters head to the polls, Mr McGowan said it would not be prudent to make an election commitment out of the issue.

But after meeting concerned residents and members of the Broome Fishing Club in town last week, he said Mr Barnett had a duty to recommit the $47 million withdrawn in a shock move by Treasurer Troy Buswell last December as part of the mid-year review.

"The Kimberley has endured a substantial wet season, making access to the ocean difficult and dangerous for boat users," he said.

Mr McGowan said Broome was becoming a forgotten town because the Barnett Government had broken its election promise to build the facility and Mr Buswell guaranteed its funding while visiting Broome late last year.

"Troy Buswell lied to the people of Broome," he said.

"Boat users were promised this facility in 2010 and in the lead-up to the 2013 State Election.

"They have since been betrayed by Mr Buswell and Mr Barnett, who cancelled the project without warning or explanation."

Mr Buswell said it was understandable Broome people would be disappointed with the decision to withdraw funding for the boating facility.

"While it has long been acknowledged that there is a need for improved boat-launching facilities in Broome, difficult economic constraints, coupled with rapidly escalating project costs meant the Government could not justify funding the Broome boat harbour at this time," he said.

Mr McGowan said the decision to axe the project was particularly devastating for a community that had campaigned for decades for safer boating facilities.

"Will it take someone to die before something is done?" he said.

Mr McGowan said there may be other options available for the Barnett Government to consider short-term but to cancel the project altogether was "dangerous and irresponsible".

"WA Labor will continue to fight for this project and will take this issue to Parliament in the coming weeks," he said.

Mr McGowan met representatives of the newly formed boating facility working group on his visit, including long-time advocate and Broome Fishing Club member Jeff Cooper.

Shire of Broome councillors and departmental heads are among those pushing the State Government for interim measures to repair and upgrade existing ramps before the goal of securing a commitment to reinstate funding for the mini-marina is made.

"The Broome community is extremely disappointed this money has been stripped away," Mr Cooper said.

"This was a very much needed project in terms of safety, well-being of the entire community and visitors to Broome."Mr McGowan has a firm understanding of the matter and we will certainly be taking this to Parliament to try to ensure Broome gets the boating facility it desperately needs."

Kimberley MP Josie Farrer said she would table the petition in State Parliament.