House debates

Monday, 19 October 2015

Constituency Statements

Richmond Electorate: Ballina

4:11 pm

Photo of Justine ElliotJustine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

We have just had draft changes announced to the boundaries of federal electorates in New South Wales. In Richmond, this is really exciting as Ballina will now be included in the electorate.

Ballina is an exciting, vibrant coastal town, with a very strong community. I warmly welcome Ballina residents to the Richmond electorate. I am committed to working hard with them to make sure we always get our fair share from Canberra. I am proud to have delivered more than $2 billion for our local roads, schools, health and community resources on the North Coast. And, as a local Labor MP, I am fighting hard against Malcolm Turnbull and the National Party's unfair cuts to the age pension, cuts to family payments and cuts to health services.

All these cruel cuts are hurting so many locals on the North Coast. Our region has such great potential, but the reality is that every school and every hospital in our region is worse off because of the National Party cuts to health and education. I will always stand up for local families against the National Party's plan to cut penalty rates, which will threaten directly the living standards of many workers, their families and our community.

Our region is such a unique and special place to live. Together we can make it an even better place. The fact is that Malcolm Turnbull and his National Party candidates just cannot be trusted on the things that are important to the future of the residents of Ballina and the New South Wales North Coast.