Private Members' Statement: Priorities following March election

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and especially the Wiradjuri and Ngarigo people, the traditional custodians of the lands of the Wagga Wagga electorate. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I take the opportunity in my first private member's statement of the Fifty-Seventh Parliament to share some of the key issues identified across the Wagga Waggaelectorate. These issues were brought to my attention during the two recent election campaigns. I thank the people of the Wagga Wagga electorate for placingtheir trust in me again. And I thank my family, and those who supported me and assisted in my campaigns. I also congratulate my fellow MPs and the Government on its re-election.

Since the time of the by-election in September 2018 there has been an unprecedented level of interest in the Wagga Wagga electorate. The presence of an independent voice in the Parliament has meant, I believe, a significant rise in energy and enthusiasm in the region. The commitments made in the elections have been welcomed and I thank the Premier for again committing her Government to delivering the promises made to the electorate. The commitments include:the Tumut Hospital redevelopment, with a timeline predicting work will commence at the end of this year; Bomen Business Park, Wagga Wagga, now a special activation precinct, with funding for an intermodal hub and the potential to be a world-class business centre; the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital car park with advice from the Minister for Health that this is set to get underway at the completion of stage 3 of the redevelopment in 2021; and upgrades to the Gobbagombalin Bridge and Marshall's Creek bridges.

The State Government made a range of additional announcements and I am pleased to report that one of them, the early intervention program Youth on Track, was launched in Wagga Wagga this month. After speaking with Mission Australia's area manager, I am looking forward to seeing the benefits of this program. There is a renewed vitality across the region and it is now time for us to lift our eyes, look ahead and chart a direction. Gone should be the days of simply catching up. There are three key priorities that I believe should guide our direction: responsible growth, safe and supported communities and an independent voice. I spoke about these frequently during my campaign and I want to speak briefly about them now.

The first priority is responsible growth. Under the New South Wales Government's 20-year plan for regional New South Wales, Wagga Wagga was identified as a location of significant growth, with the population set to increase by 100,000 within 20 years. Growth is integral to our future prosperity. Developments like the Bomen industrial hub, Tumut Hospital, Snowy Hydro and the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital within the health precinct will not only provide services but will assist in attracting individuals and families to the electorate. I will continue to push for further opportunities, including the expansion of the Charles Sturt campus in Wagga Wagga, our softwoods industry at Tumut, renewable energy at Lockhart and a sustainable future for Lake Albert. I would also like to see further payroll tax reductions for regional businesses. I will work with local councils so that the State Government provides the necessary support for their priorities.

While growth is key to our future prosperity, we must make sure this happens in a way that is right for us. Our growth must be environmentally sustainable. To support the predicted population boom, we need modern hospitals and schools, local jobs, clear opportunities for all young people to reach their full potential, safe roads and affordable public transport solutions. For example, I draw the attention of the House to the lack of appropriately skilled medical services at district hospitals such as Tumut. This is a nationwide issue, but I believe in New South Wales we have the means to begin appropriately training the doctors we need in our regions. Other important concerns include education facilities, the significant rate of homelessness and the need for an alternate road bypass in Wagga Wagga.

Hand in hand with this anticipated growth comes the need to ensure communities across my electorate feel secure. This is my second key priority, the need for safe and supported communities. For this to happen, Wagga Wagga needs sufficient police numbers, drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and a strong approach to crime prevention. I congratulate Wagga Wagga City Council on the launch of its crime prevention committee, which will bring together members of key services, government representatives and the wider community. Having met with many newly appointed Ministers, I am confident these issues can be addressed and the many opportunities for growth can be embraced. Finally, the third priority is that of having an independent voice for the electorate. I intend to ensure the people of my electorate feel directly connected to government so that their concerns are heard and we maintain our new-found energy as we build our future.