‘It’s just so incredible having a Labor Government. It’s so exciting. It’s a new direction!’
Fit to burst, these words spill out of Justine Elliot MP almost before she’s said hello.
As the local member of federal parliament since she defeated the National Party’s Larry Anthony in 2004, Elliot is a veteran of sitting in the House of Reps, but not so much in government.
After last week’s caucus meeting, she is now also the Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
Mrs Elliot said it was almost overwhelming.
‘Being in Canberra when we had the caucus meeting and when the Prime Minister came in – and with all the new people, there was just such a sense of enthusiasm and excitement about all the great things we can do for the country. And I have the honour of being an Assistant Minister.
‘I am really humbled and privileged that the Prime Minister appointed me to the role.
‘Getting sworn in – everyone was just so keen to get started. You can really feel the excitement of people.’
Mrs Elliot said the country will definitely be going in a different direction than it’s been travelling for the past nine years.
‘There’s the outlook of the Prime Minister – the language that he uses and the way he genuinely feels, and how he acts while being so inclusive. He’s taking the people with us. It’s such a contrast to the previous government – demonising different groups and really polarising. He’s talking about all of us moving forward and being supportive of one another. It’s so positive, and I think people are just so relieved that the Morrison government is gone.’
Mrs Elliot says she hasn’t had a chance to rest since the election, with people across the region wanting to talk about a whole range of issues. ‘I hit the ground running’, she said.
‘We have a series of election commitments – we are very keen to get those rolled out once everything’s established’.
Mrs Elliot said she would be in meetings over the next few weeks to work out what her specific roles will be.
‘I have a huge interest in all of those areas, particularly with Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence.
‘For Social Services, getting rid of the cashless debit card is just incredible. That card destroys people’s lives, and the prevention of family violence, this is an issue that I’ve always been really committed to.’
She also said that even though she enjoys campaigning, she’s glad it’s over. ‘It is absolutely tireing work, but it’s very important’.
Contest of ideas
‘We’re talking about a contest of ideas, talking about changing the government and it is relentless. That’s something I’ve acknowledged in all the other candidates who ran, and their time and commitment. That’s the good thing about living in a democracy like we do.
‘We had ten candidates from a whole range of parties and issues and everybody was out there, putting forward their views. That’s the system we have, which is great.’
With the federal ICAC being one of the major issues in 2022, the question on many people’s lips is: when?
‘Anthony Albanese has said that we will have the legislation introduced by the end of the year, he made that commitment during the election.’
Elliot said there is so much to do. On the day we spoke, she was dealing with some local issues. ‘I’m chasing up a few things – individuals and housing concerns, and then also working with Amanda Rishworth, the senior Minister for Social Services, to have an initial discussion about what exactly will be in my portfolio and what areas I’ll be focusing on – it’s just go, go, go!
‘You can’t waste any day in government!’
And what would Mungo MacCallum have said about Labor being back in government?
‘I reckon he’d say: “We can send the white smoke up the chimney now”.’
The Portfolios of Social Services and the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence can now go only one-way: backwards. Elliot has been the local Federal member since 2004 and has done absolutely FA for the region.
Still sore from not getting your preferred candidate elected, it’s called democracy. Doing better than the member in page who won’t be able to use slush funds for dubious outcomes and only now sounds angry when talking about flood relief when before went missing in action, which Justine didn’t and championed Richmond to be recognised for disaster relief after the last government tried to do it on electoral boundaries.
Congratulations on your position[s] so deservedly to your continual support for the electoral area of Richmond. The position of Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence is close to our electorate. Another area of concern is the amount of homelessness within all areas of Australia and certainly large as life in Richmond.
I wish you well in the future and I hope the Labor Government succeeds to commit to improving our nation wellbeing.
Why do we need so many SocIal Services from the Government and Just why is there so much family violence?
Because the electorate is of a low socio-economic group with a low number of jobs and no employment. The local pastime is in drinking alcohol to pass the time away. There are no major industries even the Tourist industry is of minor cosequence.
The major industry is Social Services.
Next door Kevin Hogan has scored the shadow portfolio of Tourism and Trade. He will have a chance to redeem himself and do something for the nation rather than hand out the ‘pork’ to snare support.
It will be interesting to see how he goes; he might even give the voters some idea of his core beliefs.
It is an important role held previously by Birmingham and other Liberals.