New state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe used her maiden speech in Parliament to call for more funding for the region, including for the bypass, road upgrades and repairs, and for Goulburn Valley Health.
Ms O’Keeffe also said she would use her “very loud voice” to fight for the region, and that it was “an honour and a privilege” to represent her community.
“We must address the cost of living, the housing crisis and homelessness,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“I am shocked at the state of our crumbling and unsafe roads, and I urge for an increase in funding to address this.
“We are facing challenging times, with my region heavily impacted by the recent floods and storms.
“As a matter of urgency, we need to do all we can to get people back into their homes and businesses supported and open.”
Ms O’Keeffe said she was pleased to see Premier Daniel Andrews commit to the bypass in the last parliament and was “looking forward” to working with him on the next stages, as well as the final stage of the GV Health redevelopment.
Ms O’Keeffe also told the story of her family moving from Sydney to Queensland and then back to Shepparton — where her mother was born — when Ms O’Keeffe was four years old.
The family moved into public housing before Ms O’Keeffe moved out at 18.
“It is interesting when you look back at the housing model back then that gave young families the opportunity to purchase a home at an affordable price — opportunities that do not seem to exist today,” she said.
“The region has a history of long-term generational, hard-working family businesses, both large and small, who have contributed so much to our region, people like Pat and Tina’s much-loved local BP station now run by their son Joe and his wife, Angela.
“The thing I love about living in a small community is that we are so connected and we cheer each other on.”
She paid tribute to Shepparton’s diversity, highlighting the region’s First Nations and Albanian communities.
“I live in a very unique and culturally diverse community made up from those from many nations around the world,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“We have a very strong, long history of successful migration, and the success and contribution of the many families making Australia and the Goulburn Valley their home.”