General News
16 December, 2022
Care talks high on list
NEW Ripon MP Martha Haylett says she will “not waste a day” bringing child care to the Loddon. Ms Haylett last Thusday was declared the winner of November’s election after finishing 2535 votes ahead of the Liberals’ Louse Staley...
NEW Ripon MP Martha Haylett says she will “not waste a day” bringing child care to the Loddon.
Ms Haylett last Thusday was declared the winner of November’s election after finishing 2535 votes ahead of the Liberals’ Louse Staley.
A redistribution had made Ripon a notional Labor seat with a 2.8 per cent margin. Ms Haylet’s final margin was 2.99 per cent.
She said delivering the Government’s promise to Loddon of one of 50 new co-located child care centres would be led by consultation with local communities.
Ms Haylett said different towns wanted child care and acknowledged the strong campaign in Wedderburn.
“I know we needed child care (in Loddon) yesterday and I want to fight to have the shire in the first tranche of centres,” she said.
The Government announced the first 26 locations - six to open in 2025 and the next 20, including Loddon, the following year.
“I have made inquiries to the minister (Ingrid Stitt) and will have a stronger sense (of when processes start) after talking to her,” she said.
Ms Haylett said her “focus” areas as the new MP also included roads, health, cost of living and jobs.
During the campaign, Ms Haylett said a different approach was needed for rural road maintenance, including rebuilding some roads from scratch and at the weekend said she would advance discussions within the Government.
Ms Haylett also pledged to have conversations with the Newbridge community on connecting the town to water and sewerage.
The Coalition commitment to connect the town for future growth was not matched by Labor during the campaign.