New MP hits the road

MEMBER for Corangamite, Libby Coker, on the road throughout the electorate with her Libby Listens Tour, will arrive in Golden Plains Shire in late August.

Ms Coker is inviting constituents to join her for a coffee at a local café, holding Politics in the Pub events and taking meetings in her mobile office.

A Coffee with a Pollie session at the Inverleigh Hotel from 12pm is the first stop in the Shire.

“It’s important that residents’ voices are heard as part of policy discussions,” Ms Coker said. “I’ll be in Golden Plains Shire to listen to local residents, community groups, sporting clubs, business and schools, to hear about the issues that impact them.”

The mobile office which will be in Bannockburn on Saturday, 31 August allows residents to sit and chat, face to face, about issues, ask for support and discuss advocacy matters.

Since she commenced the tour in Apollo Bay earlier in the month Ms Coker said she has talked with people on a range of topics.

“There has been a real push to ensure Labor sticks to is policies on climate change, wages and penalty rates,” she said. “There is concern about affordable house and jobs for the local workforce as well as a strong push to acknowledge our First Nation and enshrine them in the constitution.

“I really find it inspirational that this electorate, with a high-level voter turnout, embraces democracy and I want to work as a local representing them, not in an overtly political way, to achieve the best outcomes.”

It is important to Ms Coker, in her early days as a Member of Parliament, that Golden Plains residents know that she is accessible.

Her maiden speech on Tuesday, 10 September is where she will be raising the issues bought up while on tour.

She said she is willing to discuss matters particular to the Shire such as roads and transport.

Key arterial road links as well as the requirement for bus and train travel is likely to be on the agenda.

“Growth in Bannockburn and Inverleigh and planning development to ensure retaining the rural feel of the towns are subjects I feel strongly about and welcome local input,” she said. “This is the beginning of the process and I urge the community to come and start a conversation with me.”

There are two more Coffee with a Pollie events, starting at 12pm, scheduled for the Red Dog Café in Bannockburn on Wednesday 28 August and the Back Creek Café in Meredith on Friday, 30 August.

In Teasdale, Coffee with a Pollie will be at the General Store on Thursday, 29 August from 10.30am to 11.45am.

There will be a Politics in the Pub night at the Railway Hotel in Bannockburn on Thursday, 29 August from 7.30pm.

Residents who are interested in attending any of the session can call Ms Coker’s electorate office on 5243 1444 or email [email protected] or visit libbycoker.com.au.