Where's your budget submission, Garth?
The preparation and presentation of a budget submission by the Independent Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines MP, has provided local Independent Candidate for Groom Suzie Holt with a template for how to work with the community to deliver what they want and need from their Federal Government through their elected representative.
“Helen Haines is great example of how an Independent Member of Parliament can work with their communities.
“Her submission to the Treasurer is incredibly comprehensive. It includes a regional housing plan, energy affordability and security measures such as home battery subsidies, small business energy incentives, and microgrid funding, health investment like GP incentives, a Rural Health Infrastructure Fund and a new new single site Albury Wodonga Hospital. Also in there is early education regional childcare grants, a regional development funding boost, funding for regional internet and mobile connections, and whistleblower protection integrity measures.
“Her submission also includes projects for each of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in her electorate.
“These projects are shovel ready; that is, they are ready to go. They vary in cost from $1.5m to $50m.
“Dr Haines budget submission also includes the priorities of Regional Development Australia , other tourism bodies, health organisations, TAFE and water authorities.
“The process of community consultation and representation that Dr Haines has implemented is one that I will replicate in Groom as its Federal Member.,” said Ms Holt.
“Dr Haines is not waiting to be in Government because she won’t be, however she will have good if not better access to the Government.
“Being in Opposition is not an excuse to sit on your hands and complain that you can’t do anything until your side is back in Government,” Ms Holt states.
“Dr Haines is representing the needs of her community to the government of the day and in so doing is achieving more for the communities in Indi.
“I haven’t seen any such document from the current Member for Groom – it’s not on his website nor on his social media.
“I have however seen election promises that are dependent on the Coalition getting into government.
“As an Independent, like Dr Haines, I will be able to work constructively with the government whoever it is, to champion what the people of Groom need to grow.
“Groom has always been a Coalition seat, and as such the Coalition has extended precious little effort to retain it. Groom deserves its fair share. A local representative who has lived, worked, and understands the region.
“By electing an Independent, the people of Groom will never again be taken for granted by either the Coalition or the Labor Party”, Suzie Holt declared.