Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised the spirit of Western Australia days before heading there for the first time during the May 18 election campaign.
He's told The West Australian newspaper Perth is very similar to his home base in Cronulla in the Sutherland Shire in southern Sydney.
"I like that Perth is really entrepreneurial and go-getting. It's a have-a-go type place. The lifestyle is very similar to The Shire," he said.
Mr Morrison will spend some time in Western Australia next week, including lining up against Labor leader Bill Shorten in a debate in Perth on Monday evening.
Mr Shorten has spent some time already in Western Australia, but Mr Morrison said only the coalition would deliver for the state.
Mr Morrison fended off criticism that he had not been in WA during the first fortnight of the election campaign.
He said he had been in Perth just after the April 2 budget - in the week the election was called.
"I will never underestimate or neglect what is happening in WA because it is central to my policy plans," he said.
"If WA isn't growing and strong, that leaves the Australian economy and our broader plan for a stronger economy through how we want to achieve things undermined."
Australian Associated Press
