Chapman Valley stalwart Kirrilee Warr readies herself for State Government campaign with Nationals WA

For most families, politics at the dinner table is a topic to be shied away from, but for Kirrilee Warr it was the catalyst for her career. Her family would sit down with the 7pm news. “That was the only way as farmers we would get our weather report. And so we’d see everything else, and I’ve just always had an interest in it, and serving my community,” she recalled. As the newest representative of the Nationals WA, Ms Warr puts her passion of being vocal for the regions down to being born and raised in Chapman Valley with parents who prioritised community service. In March, Ms Warr was preselected by the party to run for the Geraldton seat, emerging victorious over two peers who also had a host of leadership and local government experience — former Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn and Northampton Shire vice-president Rob Horstman. Ms Warr has been on the Shire of Chapman Valley council for 10 years and became president in 2021. “I just wanted to be a part of that decision-making because I had children then, and still do, and I just wanted to leave something behind for them, and make it better,” she said. “I could see over time, if people weren’t prepared to put their hand up and be a part of the decision-making you’re just not sure where it’s going lead to in the future”. For more than 20 years, State government has been a long term goal for Ms Warr — dipping her toes in by translating policy into the ways it would impact her regional community. “It was probably about 18 months ago, knowing that the 2025 election was coming up. I did think about, what is my future? And where is it and how that might look,” she said. “I’ve always, always had an aspiration to step forward. It is about timing.” Support from her network, family and friends meant Ms Warr was able to bite the bullet and chase what she is most passionate about. From community consultation, Ms Warr believes easing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis needs to be the priority. “It’s crippling our community,” she said. “There are more and more people slipping into that vulnerable category within our society, and we need to work out ways to best support them.” Ms Warr lists health as another focus to be included in her campaign, which has not officially started yet. Up against Labor MP Lara Dalton, Ms Warr is confident in her abilities to take on the incumbent of three years. “I personally feel the current Government has overlooked our region and it’s time for change,” Ms Warr said. Ms Warr said there had been underinvestment from the State Government in the Geraldton electorate, listing the delayed Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment and road infrastructure as two examples. The first steps in her journey are centred around community consultation — discussions with residents in Ms Warr’s electorate on their primary concerns for the region. Her party leader, Shane Love, praised the newly minted candidate. “I’m very impressed at just how easily she connects to people, and listens to them carefully, takes on board their views, doesn’t impose her own views on them, but is willing to listen to what they have, and then respond with information and with a considered response,” he said.