Staley set on Ripon re-election

MEMBER for Ripon Louise Staley is aiming for another term in parliament, standing again as the seat’s Liberal candidate in next month’s State Election.

As the electorate’s member since 2014, Ms Staley said she has a drive to serve her community and represent their views.

“I’m also a shadow minister, and if we come to government, I’ll be a minister which means I will get to sit at the table,” she said.

“I only get to do that because I deliver for my local community. That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.

“I’m just passionate about making sure our voice, what we want, is heard and acted upon. No matter what it is, whether it’s mobile phone coverage in Lucas… My job is to be a representative.

“I see politics as a noble goal and pursuit. It’s a public service and I’ve always thought there’s worth in our structures and how our society works.”

Prior to politics, Ms Staley operated a grain farm in Willaura with her partner Stephen, served as board president of the East Grampians Health Service, and director of Melbourne’s Federation Square.

If re-elected, healthcare and road maintenance will be a focus for her, which she said are significant issues facing the Ripon region.

“We have an announcement that if we come to government we’ll build a second Ballarat hospital at Ballarat-Carngham Road,” she said.

“That’s a $200 million commitment which will take pressure off [Ballarat] Base. We’ll also build the Ballarat Link Road at $270 million which will massively change the road for Ballarat.

“We’ll extend the Delacombe bus via Smythesdale then back to Haddon. Public transport is really underdone in the top part of Golden Plains.”

Other opposition commitments Ms Staley highlighted included the allocation of $10 billion over 10 years in road maintenance, and the revival of the Country Roads and Bridges Program.