MP listening tour moves on

CORANGAMITE Member Libby Coker has covered thousands of kilometres across the electorate which envelops the south of Golden Plains Shire and hugs the shore line of the surf coast and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Bannockburn’s High Street on Saturday was the last on a whistle stop tour of the Shire.

“It was an opportunity to take my leadership to the electorate and connect with them,” Ms Coker said. “I found a hunger for engagement and received various forms of feedback on government actions from the community.”

From coffee dates to pub meetings, in schools and meetings with community groups and sporting clubs Ms Coker discussed all manner of issues and concerns with the residents.

Ms Coker said it is imperative that people have the ability to connect and speak their mind.

The common thread she encountered was the growth of the towns in the Shire and the need for balancing development with the environment.

“There were concerns raised about planning, sewerage, residential densities, construction heights, and proximity to river systems,” she said. “Water resources and the health of the Moorabool River and climate change in particular was often in the conversation.”

The aim of the street stall in Bannockburn was to provide a forum for residents to speak with Ms Coker about personal issues such as Newstart, Centrelink, schooling or mental health issues.

This often means taking further steps to follow up on their concern.

This may involve speaking with other levels of government, or agencies or service providers such as the NBN.

People need not just a voice but also help as some people find it difficult to know what to do, Ms Coker said.

“You have to be the advocate for that person and provide them feedback or advice on how they can personally pursue an issue,” she said. “It is part of being a politician and a member of parliament that you have to be prepared to support people with their problems, if you are not prepared to do that, you shouldn’t be in politics.

“They need support and advice, for me I find it a privilege that they would share their personal stories with me and there is an onus on me to always try to help them.”

While she may not always have the right answer, Ms Coker said there is an expectation at least to provide direction or perhaps liaise for them to have their voice heard.

“With a background as a councillor, teacher and journalist, I’ve seen it from different angles and I think I am reasonably prepared for the gig.”