Arabic version: إشادات تكرّم ماكس ترينوردن، الزعيم السابق لحزب الوطنيين في أستراليا الغربية

According to ABC News, former WA Nationals leader Max Trenorden has died aged 78, prompting tributes for his decades of service to the Wheatbelt and regional Western Australia. Mr Trenorden served in state parliament for more than a quarter of a century and died yesterday.

Nationals WA president Paul Gillett honoured Mr Trenorden at the party’s state conference, calling him “a formidable parliamentarian” who had dedicated more than a quarter of a century to representing Wheatbelt and regional communities. Mr Gillett said his contribution to the National Party and the communities he represented would be remembered for many years.

A farmer from Wyalkatchem in the Wheatbelt, Mr Trenorden was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1986 as the member for Avon. He held the seat until it was abolished in a 2008 redistribution. From 2009 to 2013, he represented the Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council. He led the Nationals from 2001 to 2005 and served as deputy leader of the opposition coalition under Liberal leader Colin Barnett in 2004 and 2005.

After failing to win party preselection in 2013, Mr Trenorden ran as an independent. Though he was not elected, he said the campaign had enabled him to raise important issues. Following retirement, he joined the Disability Board in Northam.

Nationals WA leader Shane Love said Mr Trenorden was among the most respected politicians to come from regional WA, saying he “never lost sight” of the communities that sent him to parliament. Central Wheatbelt MP Lachlan Hunter praised his advice and support for country representatives, while Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said Mr Trenorden had played a big role in state parliament and had been a key figure in his party.