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Buswell will fight for Vasse

The field for the seat of Vasse at next year’s State election is taking shape, with sitting MLA Troy Buswell confirmed to seek a third term and the man he replaced, Bernie Masters, standing as an independent liberal.

Mr Buswell was officially endorsed by the Liberal Party State Council late last month after he was the only person to nominate for the seat.

The Greens have already chosen structural engineer Michael Baldock as their candidate.

WA Labor Party State secretary Simon Mead told the Times Labor expected to announce a candidate “quite soon”.

Mr Buswell was hoping to represent the electorate for another term in a Liberal government, after what he said was his most productive four years in parliament for local projects.

He mentioned achievements including the refurbishment of the jetty, starting the construction of the new hospital, funding for the Busselton and Dunsborough foreshore developments and the recent $28 million announcement for Port Geographe.

“I been pleased with what’s been done for the local community but there’s always more to build on,” Mr Buswell said.

“Some key areas of focus for the next fours years are plans to upgrade the airport, enhancing local training opportunity by upgrading regional TAFE facilities (and) delivering the aged care facility in Dunsborough.

"We certainly need to plan for education infrastructure in particular for primary schools – there’s real pressure on primary schools and I think also finishing the foreshore development.”

Mr Buswell believed he could continue serving the local electorate effectively on top of his treasury, transport and emergency services portfolios and said “it is not a disadvantage to be part of a government”.

Mr Masters, who was the local member for eight years before losing Liberal Party pre-selection in 2005, said he would start campaigning in the next few weeks now Mr Buswell had been officially endorsed.

He said he was running to give voters a choice after residents expressed disappointment.

“The overwhelming issue brought to my attention by the public in the election is they’ve had enough of Mr Buswell’s party tricks and misbehaviour,” Mr Masters said.

“They basically want a member of parliament they can respect.”

He would campaign on his record in parliament, when he delivered $100 million in community assets, as well as “the promise of four years of non-controversial, hardworking and effective representation”.