Melton candidates have identified healthcare and infrastructure as the main priorities for the “forgotten west” in this month’s state election.
Independent candidate Matt DeLeon’s posters have been adorned with the hashtag “matt4melton” alongside various slogans, including ‘Hospital for Melton’ and ‘Your voice for the west’.
“[I’ll be offering] a voice for the community,” Mr DeLeon said. “Someone who will actually listen to the community and lobby for what they need; if elected, I will have an open office for residents to raise concerns and discuss suggestions and ideas.”
Voice for the West Melton candidate Monika Thomas echoed Mr DeLeon’s sentiments and identified healthcare as one of the most important issues in the electorate.
“For starters, we need a 24-hour hospital in the area; transport infrastructure desperately needs to be fixed up, and the next one is education – there aren’t enough schools for the number of people moving into the area,” Ms Thomas said.
“I’ll be fighting for those issues to be amended and fixed up because, the way I see it, you can’t just leave it alone.”
Mabor Chaduol, of the Australian Christians, said he would commit to reducing youth unemployment in the area.
“If elected, I’ll make sure youth unemployment is reduced by making sure youth access pre-employment training after year 12,” he said.
Mr Chaduol also identified mental health and environmental concerns as priorities.
Independent candidate Victor Bennett told Star Weekly an “independent view and support” for Melton was necessary “so we are not forgotten by the big political parties”.
He also said it was important to get a better public transport system, including electrifying the line to Ballarat, and better health facilities. As well, Victoria University’s Melton campus had to be turned into a “trade creator for apprentices and others”.
Incumbent Labor MP Don Nardella, like most of his rivals, raised similar concerns and ways to combat them – a new daycare hospital, improvement in ambulance response times and funding for Bacchus Marsh College, which has already been announced by Labor education spokesman James Merlino.
“I’ll be offering the people of Melton, Moorabool and Eynesbury continued steady and strong leadership and an experienced voice in the Parliament,” Mr Nardella said.
Other candidates did not get back to Star Weekly before deadline.
The state election is on Saturday, November 29. Pre-polling has already opened.
