Labor is once again running former police officer Craig Elliot for the seat of Tweed in the upcoming NSW state elections on 25 March.
Craig has lived in the Tweed for more than 25 years. He and his wife Justine, who is the Federal Labor member for Richmond, have raised their two children Alex and Joe in the community.
‘I’m thrilled to announce Craig as our Labor candidate for Tweed ahead of the March election,’ said Mr Minns.
‘Craig understands the issues facing his community and if given the chance I believe will be a fantastic advocate for them on Macquarie Street.’
Pottsville High
Education is a key platform issue that Labor are running on for the NSW election and Labor leader Chis Minns was here last week to announce that a ‘Minns Labor government will deliver a future high school in Pottsville for the growing communities of the Tweed coast’.
There are around 600 students at Pottsville Beach Public School and students spend several hours a week travelling to high schools across the region at Kingscliff, Murwillumbah and Banora Point. The site for the high school was identified over 12 years ago but has not received the commitment needed from the coalition government for it to go ahead.
‘The Tweed coast is becoming increasingly popular with young families. We know a new high school is needed and the delays need to end,’ said Mr Elliot.
‘A Minns Labor Government will finally deliver for a new high school for families in Pottsville and the surrounding Tweed coast.’
Murwillumbah mega-school
Mr Minns also came to Murwillumbah in September last year (Murwillumbah is in the electorate of Lismore and the seat is currently held by Labor MP Janelle Saffin) to address concerned community members over the merger of the two Murwillumbah primary schools Murwillumbah East Public School (MEPS) and Murwillumbah Public School along with the two high schools Wollumbin High School and Murwillumbah High School (MHS) at the current MHS site that was announced by the coalition government late October 2020.
The mega-school announcement met with strong opposition from the local community. Minns promised concerned parents, teachers, and the community at the meeting that if Labor win the next election they will not follow through with the mega-school merger that is currently underway.
Healthcare focus
Craig has also said he welcomes ‘NSW Labor’s positive and fresh plans to resuscitate the states healthcare system, rebuild NSW’s health workforce and repair the damage caused by the Perrottet Government’.
NSW Labor say they will:
- Implement Regional and Rural Health Inquiry recommendations.
- Fund an additional 500 paramedics in regional communities in Labor’s first term.
- Introduce minimum and enforceable safe staffing levels to public hospitals, starting with emergency departments.
- Recruit an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives recruited into the system (above the government’s additional recruits outlined in 2022-23 NSW State Budget) within the first four years of a Labor Government, at a cost of $175 million.
- Fund an additional 29 McGrath Breast Care nurses to support people right across New South Wales.
- Boost funding for Women’s Health Centres to $100 million over five years to ensure the 20 centres across the state can operate sustainably and deliver health services that meet the needs of the community.
- Boost access for mental health services for young people in New South Wales by committing $17 million to the Kids Helpline over four years to increase their capacity to respond to a rising number of calls.
‘We know this election will be a tough battle, but I believe Craig is up for the fight and will be our in the community advocating for his community every single day,’ said Mr Minns.
‘The residents of Tweed deserve a fresh start,’ said Craig.
‘Residents of Tweed deserve the same level of service as Sydney, and I’m committed to making that a reality.
‘I’m proud to be a part of Labor Leader Chris Minns’ strong team that if given the chance, will bring Tweed and NSW the change we need.’
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