Ex-govt minister eyes Pilbara mayor gig

Former local government minister Tony Simpson has joined the mayoral race for the City of Karratha at the October council elections.

Mr Simpson is likely to be one of at least four mayoral candidates in the largest Pilbara jurisdiction, including long-serving incumbent Peter Long.

During his time as minister Mr Simpson declared Karratha a city in 2014, and two years later quit cabinet after declaring he no longer supported then-premier Colin Barnett.

“You have seen Karratha grow in leaps and bounds from when I named it a city, I think it was one of the turning points for Karratha,” he said.

“When you do – and I have – sit down in Canberra with government ministers and talk about ‘I’m from the City of Karratha’ it certainly does put it on different level.

"We still talk about being the most livable city in the Pilbara and that's our mandate to keep working on that."

Mr Simpson moved to the North West after losing his Darling Range seat in 2017 to disgraced ex-MP Barry Urban, lured up by the laidback lifestyle, camping and fishing.

He has been chief executive of Regional Development Australia: Pilbara since 2020 and has just finished building his family home in Baynton.

Attracting major retailers, improving boating facilities and youth entertainment are front-and-centre of Mr Simpson’s election pitch.

He also backed the City’s efforts to diversify its income base through commercial investments.

“You have always got to think twice before spending ratepayer dollars,” he said.

“But thinking outside the square and making an investment to get a return certainly does add up.”

He said the jury was still out on whether a publicly-elected mayor would serve the city better than one chosen by council.

Incumbent mayor Cr Long has been at the helm of the City since 2013 and is seeking a fourth term on council having first been elected in 2011.

Cr Long has enjoyed strong support at every council election, but this will be the first time the Karratha public directly elect their mayor.

He polled second in 2019, equal second in 2015 alongside Cr Marg Bertling, and came out on top in 2011.

Karratha radio presenter Pablo Miller and 2022 federal One Nation candidate Brenton Johannsen have signaled their intent to run but are yet to finalise nominations.

Cr Miller garnered the second most votes in 2021, and most in 2017.

Mr Johannsen polled fifth in the Durack seat at the 2022 federal election.

Nominations close on Thursday.