While her win in Richmond has not yet been confirmed, Justine Elliot is very happy about the overall result for Labor and a new government.
Mrs Elliot told The Echo today that she is very excited. ‘Now we have an Albanese Labor Government and that means great change for our country – it really will help so many people. This government will change people’s lives for the better.’
Confident of retaining the seat
Mrs Elliot said that as she was leading in the primary votes [at 11am Monday] she was confident of retaining the seat. ‘I’d like to thank the people of Richmond for their support. I also acknowledge all the other candidates.’
Mrs Elliot, who had a congratulatory phone call yesterday with Labor leader Anthony Albanese, said the new Labor government would bring many things. ‘We are going to have action on climate change, a federal ICAC, more investment in health and education and as the local Labor MP, I’ll be a strong voice in a Labor Government for our region.
Mrs Elliot said the election showed a complete rejection of Scott Morrison and his inaction; the lies and chaos that he brought to the country. ‘Now we have a Labor government and it’s a great time for the nation and for the North Coast.’
Priorities
This morning Albanese and Penny Wong were sworn in by the Governor-General. They are about to leave for Tokyo and the The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue – known as the Quad, to join India, Japan, and the United States.
Along with updating Australia’s international relations, Mr Albanese said in his speech on Saturday that a federal ICAC and the Uluru Statement from the heart were priorities.
‘We are so committed,’ said Elliot. ‘We’re committed to having that in writing and making sure that’s in place, and so many other things are on our agenda that we’ll be focusing on. But certainly a federal ICAC is important for the Prime Minister.’
Mrs Elliot said she and her supporters celebrated in Tweed on Saturday, watching the broadcast. ‘We were in my office and watching Albo’s speech. It was absolutely inspirational and heartwarming,’ she said.
Lifting people up
‘He spoke about lifting people up, being inclusive, respective of other people and working together for good outcomes – it is such a change and it is so good.’
Mrs Elliot said she and her team have hit the ground running, as they have to make a start on delivering on their commitments – two of those being the social enterprise laundry in Bangalow and the animal pound in Murwillumbah.
‘I am really excited and just moving full steam ahead 100 per cent, because there’s a lot to do with a new government,’ she said.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
