Voting is predicted to be close for the two major candidates, Labor’s Mike Kelly and the Liberal’s Peter Hendy, in the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro.
Both candidates are calling on voters to look at their records with Dr Kelly saying he is proud of the record he established as previous member, working with the community and businesses “to deliver substantial outcomes for our region”, one of which was his early involvement in the South East Regional Hospital.
Dr Hendy said he was very proud to be delivering a healthier community and pointed to both the South East Regional Hospital and also the carers accommodation as key parts of his work.
Both candidates see business and tourism as important issues for the Bega Valley particularly with the promised development of the Port of Eden.
Dr Kelly said: “If re-elected I intend to pursue a strategic economic plan for Eden-Monaro that will seek to restore renewable energy investment, turbocharge our tourism industry, build broader business investment on the back of a proper roll out of the NBN, and develop a marketing strategy for our regional produce to take advantage of the opening up of the Port of Eden and Canberra International Airport to commercial freight operations.”
Dr Hendy said: “I am very proud to be investing $20 million in the NSW South Coast jobs and investment package to create local jobs and growth and diversify the regional economy, developing local tourism and gateways to the South Coast by redeveloping the Merimbula and Moruya Airports and delivering the Port of Eden expansion, and to be supporting Bega Cheese to build a new plant in North Bega, to transition to high value exports and support local jobs.”
Referencing the economy, Dr Hendy said that the Turnbull Liberal team could deliver political stability and had a strong economic plan for jobs and families across the region, an economic plan which was clear and costed, he said.
“I’m working hard to make our region an even better place to live,” Dr Hendy said.
Community based representation was something that Dr Kelly said he would “re-establish”.
“We must have a member who will fight our corner with passion commitment and conviction, who will reach out to the community and stay in touch with our needs and issues. Only someone who has a deep and profound love for this region and community will be motivated enough to work and fight for us. My own motivation comes from deep roots and the example of generations of service and leadership in my family history here. This region is my blood and bone and I will not let this community down,” Dr Kelly said.
