Roads, public transport and proper planning to deal with Wyndham’s surging population are among the key issues identified by the candidates for the new seat of Werribee at the state election on November 29.
Before it was abolished in 2002, the seat was held by the Liberal Party between 1976 and 1979 and the ALP for 23 years between 1979 and 2002. At this election, it includes the areas of Werribee, Werribee South, Wyndham Vale and parts of Hoppers Crossing and Little River.
Five candidates will contest Werribee, representing the ALP, the Liberal Party, Voice for the West, the Greens and Australian Christians. Following the close of nominations last Friday,
Star Weekly asked the candidates to nominate the most significant issues facing residents in the electorate.
Tim Pallas, who will stand for the ALP after serving as Tarneit MP since the 2006 election, argued the Coalition government had “failed to adequately invest in strained local infrastructure”.
“[If elected] Labor will remove Werribee/Cottrell and Cherry Street level crossings, invest $1 billion in outer suburban roads, upgrade Werribee Secondary College and Tarneit P9 College, and build two new schools and a tech school in Wyndham,” he said.
Greens candidate Bro Sheffield-Brotherton said Wyndham residents had been “dudded” by Labor and the Coalition.
“I will work passionately for a fair go and needs-based funding of vital infrastructure and services such as arterial roads/public transport, schools and TAFE, hospitals and preventative health care, youth services and local employment opportunities,” he said.
Voice for the West candidate Nhan Hoang Tran said “the powerlessness of the individual citizen” was his greatest concern.
“Most of us are not listened to by politicians, services, councils, bureaucrats and employers,” he said. “We need a public conversation about how to change this.”
Australian Christians candidate Anne Okumu said the biggest issue facing the electorate was creating jobs. “Our solution is to encourage short-term apprenticeships in lieu of work for the dole,” she said.
The Liberal Party’s Tarun Singh did not respond before deadline.
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