The inclusion of Nimbin in the proposed new electoral boundary for the federal seat of Page makes good sense, according to Labor’s candidate for the seat, Janelle Saffin.
Ms Saffin, the former MP for Page, welcomed the reconfigured (but not final) electorate plan by the Australian Electoral Commission, which takes the alternative-lifestyle village away from the seat of Richmond.
Ms Saffgin this week committed to delivering funding and services for the people of the new electorate,.
’It just makes good sense for Maclean and Nimbin to be included in Page. The result is that the entire local government areas of both Clarence Valley and Lismore are now included,’ she said.
‘The community of interest for health and transport infrastructure will be well-served by continuing the coastal sweep from Evans Head to Woolgoolga, although I acknowledge the strong social and community ties which exist between Coffs Harbour and its northern satellite suburbs.
‘For Nimbin, I look forward to building on the work of Richmond MP Justine Elliot, to deliver the services they need in education, health and jobs.
’For Maclean, it means I can continue to work with the community to secure even more funding and services, building on those I delivered as the Member even though they were in Cowper.
‘Also, my track record in successful advocacy secured Federal funding for the Pacific Highway for the early works from Woolgoolga to Ballina, and federal money for the present construction. I am very happy that the funding that is rolling out now was locked into the previous Labor budgets.’
‘The Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport made clear in the Senate Estimates that there was no new funding in the 2014-2015 budgets of the Abbott/Turnbull Government, just re-announcements of the already locked-in money,’ she said.
‘I am pleased to see this work progressing well and continuing to provide the jobs that this much needed public safety project was premised on.’
‘However, we need to be watchful of where the employment goes. It won’t be good enough if a large proportion of wages drive or fly out of our region every Friday to be spent elsewhere,’ she said.
Ms Saffin said that the only major alternative electorate boundary proposal would have included the New England towns of Glen Innes and Tenterfield, rather than the present published changes.
‘That proposal was workable, but suffers from the disgraceful neglect of major road links between the coast and the tableland towns by successive state governments, and the consequent inadequate public transport links.’
‘These factors, among others, have negatively impacted on the community of interest between Page and New England, and consequently on the economies and well-being of both.’
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