Martha Haylett won the seat of Ripon at the state election a year ago in what was another thumping victory for the then-Andrews Government. She talks with the Loddon Herald’s CHRIS EARL about her first year in Spring Street

The saying is that a week can be a long time in politics, so how have you found your first year as the member for Ripon?
MH: It is the greatest honour of my life to have been elected the member for Ripon. Over the past 12 months, I’ve come to know even more of the people who make our community all that it is.
From our local CFA members to our recreation reserve committees, RSL sub-branches, and school council representatives – it is our volunteers that are the backbone of our region, and it is such a privilege to work alongside them.
Being a member of Parliament is all consuming and it’s hard yakka, but I knew that coming into it. There are trying times, but I have loved every second of it – especially getting results for our community.
The State Labor Government has delivered a lot for the Loddon Shire in past 12 months, including ... $50,000 for the Wedderburn Community House, $1000 for the Bridgewater Cricket Club, thousands for the Inglewood/Bridgewater RSL Sub-Branch to make improvements to the Rheola War Memorial, and over $11,000 for the Loddon Plains Landcare Network.
We’ve delivered over $240,000 for the redevelopment of the Newbridge Recreation Reserve and clubrooms after the floods, and thousands more for other flood-affected communities across the Loddon Shire.
Works are well underway on the Donaldson Park Community Hub project, as well as the $12.8 million redevelopment of Wedderburn College and $1.8 million upgrade of Tarnagulla Primary School.
But there’s always more to do.
What have been the challenges and how have you met them?
MH: One of the biggest challenges is trying to be as present as possible across more than 100 communities in the Ripon electorate. I have attended more than 100 community events, visited 34 schools, and held over 250 meetings across the electorate this year, but there are only so many hours in a day, so I am looking forward to meeting even more locals over the next year and beyond.
Another challenge is also coming up against bureaucratic processes when you want quick results for constituents. Some things can be resolved quickly, and others take time. But I am extremely persistent and will always fight for results for our local community.
LH The electorate ranges from suburbs of a regional capital to small rural towns, what are the similarities and differences you have experienced as the local MP?
MH, Yes, Ripon is such a vast electorate - from the outer suburbs of Ballarat, up to Marnoo, Korong Vale and beyond. The needs of these communities can differ significantly, but the issues people have are broadly the same.
Most people just want to be able to pay the bills, have a roof over their head, raise their kids, and enjoy themselves on their days off. The biggest similarities are people’s concerns about the cost of living, housing prices, roads, and access to quality healthcare when they need it.
That’s why it’s important to me as your local MP to get the basics right – making sure we fix our roads, upgrade our local schools and hospitals, and address the cost of living with supports like free kinder and free car regos for our hardworking trade apprentices.
What are issues voters have raised with you in Loddon communities? And what outcomes do you hope to achieve for local residents?
MH: The No 1 issue locals in the Loddon Shire raised with me is the state of our roads – including safety concerns along the Calder Highway. I have been raising this issue non-stop with the Minister and I’m pleased we’re now seeing results.
In the coming months, crews will be carrying out road repairs, including major works on the Calder Highway, Bridgewater-Maldon Road, and Boort-Kerang Road to name a few.
I have also been working closely with the Wedderburn and Inglewood communities to address road safety concerns along the Calder Highway in each town. I took their concerns directly to the Minister for Roads and am proud that we will soon be reducing the speed limit in each community to ensure pedestrians and motorists are kept safe.
The second biggest issue locals raise with me is the desperate need for child care in the Loddon Shire.
I have met with many local parents, grandparents, and carers across the shire about this issue and am pleased we will soon have confirmation about the site and next steps for the government-run childcare centre promised by the Labor Government last year.
Demolition of the old Inglewood ambulance station caused angst in the community, with some locals wanting the building made available to Inglewood and Districts Health Services. Will there be opportunities for IDHS to seek funding to expand office space in future?
MH: I am proud that the State Labor Government has built a brand-new ambulance station in Inglewood to make sure our local paramedics have the facilities and support they deserve to quickly respond to local emergencies.
I understand that the demolition of the old ambulance station caused a lot of angst in the community and the way in which it was dealt with by authorities was extremely unfortunate. Despite my attempts to raise concerns with the Minister for Health, the die had already been cast by Ambulance Victoria before I took office.
I am very eager to meet with the Inglewood and Distrist Health Service to better understand their office space needs in future now that they have taken on home care packages.
Local communities are awaiting naming of the site for the Government’s co-located child care centre in the shire, a pledge you have enthusiastically championed. How close is an announcement?
MH: An announcement on the site and next steps is very close and I am continuing to push this issue with the new Minister for Children, as I know how important it is to so many local families.
During the campaign last year, you raised the prospect of changing approach to road maintenance and construction in Victoria. How has this been advanced?
MH: I have been raising my concerns with the state of our roads directly with the Minister for Roads and Regional Roads Victoria non-stop since taking office, as it is the number one issue across our region.
It is important to me that when we fix our roads, they are done properly. A lot of this work was impacted last year due to flooding and water retention on our roads, so patch jobs were the only option at that time.
Most of the maintenance works are carried out between September and May, and I’m glad we’re now starting to see the roads getting repaired properly – including with more fulsome upgrades.
I am also pleased that the State Labor Government is now investing an additional $2.8 billion over 10 years into road maintenance and renewal works, including flood recovery. This means that a minimum of $6.6 billion will be spent on road maintenance over the next decade.
This will include rebuilding, resurfacing, and repairing works, as well as bridge and drainage repairs to support the productivity of the road network across our rural and regional areas.
The Government will soon release its response on the parliamentary report on the future of duck shooting. What views have you expressed to key ministers on duck hunting?
MH: I don’t think there is a single member of the Victorian Government that isn’t crystal clear on my view on this matter.
I have and always will support recreational duck hunting, and I do not want to see it banned. I have made this view clear to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation and the former and current Premier.
You took a strong line on the rollout of renewable energy transmission lines, do you believe community consultation has improved for WRL and VNI West projects?
MH: There have been some improvements to consultation by authorities on the Western Renewables Link and Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West Project, but it is still nowhere close to where it needs to be.
Almost no one seems to dispute the need for more renewable energy projects to deliver cheaper, more reliable power to our State – but it’s important that we get the process right.
I have raised my ongoing concerns with both projects to the relevant authorities, both state and federal, including where I believe they have not lived up to their obligations, and will continue to do so.
Premier Daniel Andrews resigned in September? What were your experiences of Daniel in the state’s top job and as Labor leader?
MH: Daniel Andrews was an extremely successful premier who truly delivered for rural and regional Victoria, and I wish him all the best for his next chapter.
The election of Jacinta Allan, from your neighbouring electorate of Bendigo East, as premier has no doubt changed aspects of the Government? What remains the same and what is different under Jacinta’s leadership?
MH: Jacinta is a brilliant leader and a close friend. She’s a country girl who truly understands rural and regional communities. I have known her for many years, and we have worked closely as neighbouring MPs over the last year.
Every leader has their own style and I’m looking forward to continuing to deliver for rural and regional Victorians with Premier Allan at the helm.
What are your goals in the second year as the member for Ripon and specifically for Loddon communities?
MH: We’ve delivered a lot for the Loddon Shire over the past 12 months, but it’s just the beginning and there’s more to do.
Over the next year, I will be focused on fixing our roads, improving mobile reception, and delivering more affordable housing across the shire.
I am also focused on delivering the government-run child care centre for the Loddon Shire, making sure our smaller rural communities benefit from the government’s new Tiny Towns Fund with grants up to $50,000 now on offer, and delivering our commitment to upgrade the boat ramp at Laanecoorie Reservoir.
I’m looking forward to meeting more locals, listening to their concerns, and acting on them.