MLA defends move to back bench

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli will step down as a cabinet minister following his re-election this month but says he will be just as effective for his electorate as a backbencher.

Mr Castrilli advised Premier Colin Barnett last Wednesday he would not seek reappointment as a minister in the next Liberal-led Parliament.

He said his decision was based on family responsibilities and a desire to be at the coalface to oversee important Bunbury projects to fruition.

For the past four years Mr Castrilli served as Minister for Local Government, Heritage, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests.

Defeated Labor candidate for Bunbury Karen Steele said if Mr Castrilli had planned to step down as a minister, he should have told the electorate before the election.

“I believe people should have all the facts prior to election day,” she said.

“Though the result may not have changed I do think people may have voted differently.”

Mr Castrilli told the Bunbury Herald he had informed the Premier of his decision last week after discussions with his family.

“I am still the member for Bunbury and I will be able to devote more time to Bunbury,’’ he said.

He said when he was elected in 2005 he did not hold a ministerial portfolio but he was able to “achieve an enormous amount for Bunbury”.

He said that unlike ministers who lived in Perth, country ministers faced the burden of distance and were forced to spend long periods away from home and family.

“As a minister I’ve had to spend a lot of time in Perth and other areas of the State and Loretta has been carrying the weight of the household and the family in Bunbury,” he said.

“I have elderly parents who I need to spend more time with and grandchildren who’ve been born during my time as a minister.”

Mr Castrilli said initiating reforms within Local Government had been one of his greatest challenges and achievements as a minister.

“Reform has been talked about for years with no action, and I am proud to have been able to get the important process started,” he said.