CELEBRATION and commiseration are short-lived in politics and it’s no exception here on the South Coast.
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Kiama MP Gareth Ward was up bright and early on Sunday, vowing to get straight to work and continue his road building agenda.
And he’s put the federal government on notice that he will come knocking for the funds needed to complete the highway upgrade all the way from Gerringong to Bomaderry.
“Let me assure you I will not stop my assiduous push for the federal government to pay its fair share as it did in the Howard government,” he said.
“I don’t care which party is in The Lodge, I will stand up to whoever is in government to fix our Princes Highway. I will be going after Berry to Bomaderry in this term of government.”
South Coast MP Shelley Hancock echoed that sentiment, saying she would be pressing hard for federal funding to complete the new Nowra bridge.
Another priority for Mrs Hancock would be policing in the Bay and Basin.
“I will be pushing along with the police station and, equally important, police numbers.
“I’ve met with the Police Association and I intend to meet with the regional commander and local area commander Joe Cassar. We clearly have an issue with police numbers and we need extra officers for Huskisson, Vincentia and Sanctuary Point.
“I will go to Commissioner Andrew Scipione if necessary to push the point. And when I say we need extra numbers, I don’t just mean graduates from the Police Academy in Goulburn but extra sergeant positions,” she said.
Unsuccessful Labor candidate Fiona Phillips said rest was her top priority for now.
“I have made absolutely no decision about standing again at all. It’s a decision for another day. But I would hope in the future some time I will stand again for another election.
“I’ve been campaigning 18 hours a day, seven days a week. With work and four children it’s been a massive commitment in time. Anyone thinking of standing should realise that you need to put that time in,” Mrs Phillips said.
Amanda Findley said she was simply too tired to contemplate her political future.
In Kiama, Greens candidate Terry Barratt was keeping his political options open.
“Today, I’m going to be relaxing by watching the cricket. In terms of my political future there are two elections coming up next year.
“I probably won’t stand in the federal election but the council elections are another matter. I’m very interested in local issues, including the new Woolworths development at Bomaderry and the big housing subdivisions along Moss Vale Road, which will significantly change the area.”