New Labor MP Tracey Roberts says her first goal for Pearce is to be “a strong voice in Canberra”.
Ms. Roberts, who has been mayor of Wanneroo since 2011, will fly to the nation’s capital next week after she won Saturday’s federal election.
With 69 percent of the vote counted, Ms. Roberts had won 59.4 percent of the bipartisan preference, ahead of the Liberals’ Linda Aitken — also a Wanneroo councilor.
It is the first time Labor has held Pearce’s seat since its founding in 1990.
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Former Attorney General Christian Porter held it by a margin of 5.2 percent in 2019 but retired from politics after historic rape allegations he strenuously denies.
Ms. Roberts said she was “very happy with the result”.
“I am humbled and honored to have received such an overwhelming response of support from our local community,” she told PerthNow.
Ms. Roberts said she had always been active in the local community and was ready to activate her election pledges.
During her campaign, Ms. Roberts pledged to invest $51 million in the electorate, including $25 million for the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Center, $15 million to complete the doubling of Flynn Drive, $3.75 million for a disaster relief area in Neerabup and $1.6 million for a Vietnamese cultural center in Girrawheen.
“As mayor of Wanneroo, I have been continuously involved in the community, and this will not change,” said Ms. Roberts.
“I understand the challenges and future opportunities and will remain enthusiastic and passionate about our local community and will always listen.
“I will not disappoint this community and will represent their interests with strength and dignity.”
Ms. Roberts confirmed that under the Local Government Act, Deputy Mayor Brett Treby, a Wanneroo councilor since 1999, would continue to serve as Acting Mayor.
Although the city confirmed that Ms. Roberts’ furlough ended on May 21 and she was still the mayor of Wanneroo, it said the deputy mayor could continue to fulfill her duties as needed.
“There is a process in the Local Government Act for when a member ceases to be a member, and the city will follow that process,” the city said.
PerthNow understands that an extraordinary mayoral election must be held within four months. The successful candidate will take the role until the next scheduled mayoral election in October next year.
The city estimated the cost for a mayoral election at about $345,000 but said it was subject to a formal citation.
It said the 2019 mayoral election, including seven alderman vacancies, will cost $463,500.
While the WA Election Commission said it was having a “preliminary discussion” with the city about “a potential mayoral election”, it awaited further communications.
Ms. Roberts wouldn’t be attracted to who she wants to see the mayor or be willing to support anyone.
