Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips gives maiden speech to Parliament House

She used part of her maiden speech on Tuesday, July 30 in Parliament to address the issue.

"The government should bring forward the investment in the Princes Highway, which will help to create new jobs and stimulate jobs growth in sectors like hospitality, construction and primary production," she said.

It's not the first time Ms Phillips raised the issue in parliament though, using question time to ask about funding.

"Why will only 10 per cent of the funding for safety upgrades to the Princes Highway south of Nowra be available in the next four years?" she said.

Any move to establish a nuclear power station on the shores of Jervis Bay would be bitterly opposed by the community was another bold statement she made in her maiden speech.

She warned the government to turn its attention away from nuclear energy proposals.

"Let me make this very clear to those on the other side of the house - if you pursue any plans for nuclear energy our community will fight this every day," Ms Phillips said.

"Accidents happen, natural disasters happen, the risk it poses to human health are profound.

"I will never accept a nuclear power plant being built in our community."

An increase to Newstart was also a feature of her maiden speech.

"It doesn't cover the cost of living, let alone the cost of looking for work," she said.

"Sometimes the cost of getting to a job interview is higher than the daily rate of Newstart"

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She also covered her personal history in the area and the lack of aged care and health services.

"Gilmore has one of the highest number of age pensioners in Australia," Ms Phillips said.

"As our population ages, need to grow the number of local aged care and health service workers.

"Mental health treatment is a major concern.

"That's why I was happy during the campaign to see the government match Labor's commitment for a full Headspace for Batemans Bay, but we need to go much further."