MP calls for recognition for Albany

Albany MP Peter Watson has called on the State Government to recognise Albany as the oldest European settlement in WA, a fact he says has long been ignored by Perth.

Mr Watson’s call comes following the passing of a Bill last week through the lower house which will change the name of Foundation Day to Western Australia Day.

The Bill was introduced by the Government as a way of making the public holiday into an event which celebrates all of Western Australia, not just the date of the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829.

Mr Watson said Foundation Day had never recognised Albany as the actual oldest settlement in WA, which had long been a sore point, and he had hoped Western Australia Day would include such recognition.

“We were the founding fathers in Western Australia and we’ve been totally disregarded over the years,” he said.

Despite absence of such recognition, Mr Watson said he was in favour of the Bill, which received strong bipartisan support before passing last Tuesday.

Premier Colin Barnett told Parliament WA Day was intended to reflect contemporary WA, to recognise the role of indigenous people and immigrants who arrived after the British settlers.

Mr Watson said the State Government should now formally recognise Albany’s Proclamation Day.

keir.tunbridge@albanyadvertiser.com