Tony Simpson is the endorsed candidate for the Liberal Party for the new Electoral District of Darling Range at the coming State Election, which will be held between July 2008 and February 2009. Over half of the district of Darling Range is comprised of parts of the electorate of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, which Tony has represented in State Parliament since the 2005 general State election.
In the three years that he has been in Parliament, Tony has been the Liberal Party Spokesperson for Forestry and Volunteering (2005 – present), IT and Communications (2005 – January 2008), Consumer Affairs (2007- January 2008), and Seniors and Innovation (January 2008 – present).
Tony has also worked as a member of the Delegated Legislation Standing Committee and the Economics and Industry Standing Committee, through which he has helped develop reports on food labelling, information and communications technologies, used oil and water licensing.
As a Member of Parliament Tony has been a strong advocate for investing the wealth created by the commodities boom back into the community. He has been particularly critical of the State Government for neglecting the outer suburbs and small towns that make up his electorate.
Tony is also very passionate about investing in the future of Western Australia. He believes that we must do whatever it takes to make sure that all young people receive a first class education. In light of this, before he became a Member of Parliament Tony was involved in the establishment of the Serpentine Jarrahdale Grammar School, the first secondary school established in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. Along with other members of the community Tony worked hard to establish this school in response to the Gallop Labor Government’s reluctance to establish a State School in this fast growing region.
Another issue that Tony has been championing since being elected has been the establishment of innovative industries in Western Australia. While a firm believer in WA’s resource sector and a supporter of any move to help make the State a world leader in valuable commodities, he also believes that the State Government should prepare the economy for the eventual end of the boom, whenever that may happen.
Tony has consistently stated in Parliament that he believes that the State Government must work to diversify the economy and create an atmosphere that encourages businesses to invest in innovative industries.
His long and committed involvement with his local community has also made Tony very concerned about issues affecting ordinary working people. Besides education, these also include the availability of affordable housing, especially for young first home buyers, crime, drugs, hoons and other anti-social behaviour and the local environment.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, Tony had been the local Byford Baker for 14 years, successfully running his own small business during this time.
As well as running his own business, Tony has always been active in his community. As a long term resident of the district, Tony was elected to the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire Council in 2001 and represented the North Ward until his election to Parliament. During his time on Council he was very active on many of the Shire's advisory groups including the Corporate Services, Asset Services and Roadwise Committees as well as the Local Economic Development Unit and the Peel Economic Development Unit Executive Group. Prior to his involvement in the Shire, Tony was also the President of the Park Road Kindergarten and the Byford Playgroup Association, which he attended with his eldest daughter.
To this day Tony remains heavily involved with the Serpentine Jarrahdale Roadwise Committee.
One important community project on which Tony has worked tirelessly was the creation of the first ever bank in the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire. Tony was the inaugural Chairman of the Byford & Districts Community Bank and with 9 other dedicated volunteers, successfully opened the Bank in early 2005.
On the home front, Tony has been married to his wife Kim since 1993 and together they have two daughters, Sian and Casey who have enjoyed growing up and attending school in Byford.
Kim has also been very active in the community, occupying varied voluntary positions on committees such as the Marri Grove Primary School P&C and the SJ Grammar School working group and board. Kim took over the reins of the Byford & Districts Community Bank when Tony stepped down from the board after he was elected to Parliament. Previously she was also the regional coordinator of an international exchange student program and now currently runs her own business in Armadale.
