Finding the missing $10 million for Wangaratta Hospital will be a priority for Cathy’s McGowan’s next three years in parliament.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The funding commitment made by the Coalition to Sophie Mirabella in 2013 proved to be one of the most controversial moments in Indi’s 2016 election campaign.
“I had a commitment for a $10 million allocation to the Wangaratta hospital that, if elected, I was going to announce the week after the election,” Mrs Mirabella said on a Sky News broadcast.
Ms McGowan was on the front foot after her re-election, declaring the commitment had to be honoured.
“Wangaratta hospital must be funded. And @DarrenChesterMP's road promises must be upheld. I will see these commitments funded,” she said on Twitter.
Transport Minister Darren Chester announced $7.1 million for Indi road upgrades during the campaign, which remained in the balance until the national election result was finalised.
Ms McGowan’s promises were to create more community advisory groups.
She told The Border Mail she would replicate the idea of Totally Renewable Yackandandah – to become reliant on only renewable energy by 2022 – across the electorate.
After a pilot in Indi, she would pitch the idea to be rolled out nationally.
Ms McGowan had also promised to form a similar action group around the arts if re-elected.
“We’ve absolutely got to work with the government and put regional Australia where it needs to be,” she said after Saturday’s win.
“So issues like higher education for country areas, health, manufacturing, jobs, engaging with our young people, infrastructure and we’ve still got a lot of work to do on the mobile phones.
“It’s really making sure regional Australia gets the attention it needs so we can reach our own potential, so we can make our own contribution to the country in the way we need to.”
Meanwhile, Nationals’ Indi candidate Marty Corboy is looming as a contender for Damian Drum’s vacated role in the Victorian Parliament's upper house.
Mr Drum is on target to return the federal seat of Murray to the Nationals after 20 years of Liberal rule.
He stepped down from the upper house seat of Northern Victoria to contest Murray.
The Nationals called for nominations from suitably qualified contenders for the post on Monday, closing on July 15.
Mr Drum also contested a three-cornered election in Murray following the retirement of Liberal Sharman Stone.
