Saturday’s federal election results had many implications for the Maryborough, Central Goldfields and wider region and I am particularly grateful to have been returned with an increased majority as your Member for Mallee.  I am absolutely committed to fight for you, for your farming communities and for the food, energy and healthcare you both deserve and can afford.

I am heartened by the strong 10 per cent swing I received at Carisbrook, and the incredible swing east of Maryborough that The Nationals received through Bendigo candidate Andrew Lethlean.  At the time of writing, Andrew may win Bendigo, which Labor has held for 27 years and The Nationals last held in 1949.

The rejection of Labor’s brand in Mallee and Bendigo does not bode well for unpopular premier Jacinta Allan or local Ripon MP Martha Haylett.  With a state election due in November 2026, Regional Victorians will again have their say on being neglected and left with crumbling roads, inaccessible health services and a diabolical cost-of-living crisis.

Mallee residents will now wait over 13 months for cost-of-living relief from Labor.  If you’re an aged pensioner or not an income taxpayer, there’s no meaningful relief in sight, which is a travesty as Labor got away with their broken 2022 promise made 97 times to reduce energy bills by $275. Instead, power bills are up over $1,000.  The Nationals remain very focussed on cost-of-living relief for regional Australians.

I will fight for and hold Labor accountable for the federal election commitment to spend $4.5 million of the estimated $10 million needed to bring the Maryborough Pool back into operation.  I hope we will not see the inordinate delays Maryborough suffered getting the new Maryborough Hospital staffed and operational.

Sadly, Deledio Reserve at Dunolly will not get the facilities they deserve. The additional $1 million I promised, along with upgrading Avoca’s streetscape, will not come to fruition without a Coalition Government.  I will keep working with Shires for these initiatives to be delivered.

The Nationals now have a greater say in Canberra after this election result and will keep fighting for regional Australians.