Former Labor member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, claims the Yass Valley would be a significant win for the electorate ahead of next year’s federal election.
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Dr Kelly took to the streets in Yass on Saturday to hear the concerns of its residents following the proposal by the federal government to shift the Yass Valley into the seat of Eden-Monaro.
Although he has described himself as the ‘underdog’ in the race, he hopes to shake opinion and believes Yass presents opportunities for the electorate.
Mike was first elected as the Member for Eden Monaro in November 2007. But Dr Kelly lost his New South Wales Lower House seat to the Liberals' Peter Hendy by fewer than 1000 votes in 2013.
He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support in the Rudd Labor Government. In 2009, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Water in addition to his existing duties.
Following the 2010 election, Dr Kelly worked as Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Gillard Labor Government in September 2010. In 2011 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and in 2013 he was made the Minister for Defence Material.
“I am enthusiastic about the inclusion of the Yass Valley, and bringing back Tumut and Tumbarumba,” he said.
“I know the number one issue is the Barton Highway, so we will be putting our thinking caps on and working through that."
Dr Kelly said that he hopes to secure the electorates' future by unlocking long-term ties in the electorate's regional economies and communities.
“There are a lot of ties between these communities that have high volunteer and participation rates that tends to lead the nation, which is something that appeals to me. There’s just so much potential here that it just needs a hard yakker, roll up your sleeves kind of attitude,” he continued.
“It gives us a chance to have a coherent approach to the region, economically and socially, and in every other way. I will also be looking at ties with the ACT, I am looking forward to working on these cross-border issues.”
Admitting that the boundaries proposed for the Eden-Monaro was a massive challenge physically, previously he has spent long hours on the road when Tumut and Tumbarumba were included in the electorate.
Dr Kelly highlighted renewable energy, promoting regional Australia and building a sustainable new economy as the keystones of his re-election.
He also identified achieving bonds between the regional communities in the electorate, tackling drug abuse and addressing cross border relations as key focus areas.
