19 May 2022

Major party pledges for Eden-Monaro

| Claire Fenwicke
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Person casting vote at a ballot box

You need to cast your final vote for the 2022 Federal Election on 21 May. Photo: AEC.

Eden-Monaro candidates have made plenty of promises to secure the number one spot on your ballot this Federal Election.

Region Media has taken a look at the pledges from the major parties specifically for the electorate.

Labor: Kristy McBain

Kristy McBain is the incumbent for Eden-Monaro, winning the seat during the 2020 by-election.

She said she’s standing again this election because she felt her work for the region was not done.

“Everything I hold dear is in Eden-Monaro and I am committed to continue working hard with anyone, from both sides of politics, to get the best for our region,” Ms McBain said.

“I have travelled more than 97,000 km talking to locals and working with all levels of government and all sides of politics to get our fair share of funding and infrastructure.”

She flagged health, aged care, child care and housing affordability as key issues for the region.

Kristy McBain with kids holding pledge signs

Kristy McBain at the pledge for $1 million to upgrade change rooms at Freebody Oval in Queanbeyan. Photo: Kristy McBain Facebook.

Throughout the Federal Election campaign, Labor has pledged:

  • $17.4 million for safety upgrades to Brindabella Road
  • $5 million for a Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Queanbeyan
  • $2.5 million for the Googong Sport and Recreation Club
  • $2 million to improve mobile black spots across the Eden-Monaro (on top of the $5 million by-election commitment)
  • $1 million to upgrade change rooms at Freebody Oval in Queanbeyan
  • $1 million to Respite Care Queanbeyan to cover initial operational costs
  • $1 million for community renewable energy projects on the Far South Coast
  • $750,000 for Murrumbateman’s all-abilities playground
  • $500,000 to rebuild Merimbula Skate Park
  • $250,000 to fund a women’s change room at George Brown Memorial Oval in Eden
  • $90,000 for ground upgrades at JJ Connors Oval in Jindabyne
  • $20,000 to be shared between Cooma Lambie Preschool Association and Cooma North Preschool to improve facilities
  • $20,000 for Eden Public School to improve landscaping and the playground’s safety features

READ ALSO Free speech concerns over political sign ‘ban’ in Goulburn Mulwaree

Liberals: Dr Jerry Nockles

Dr Jerry Nockles was one of nine candidate ‘captain’s picks’ by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet for the Liberals. He previously served under former Eden-Monaro member Dr Peter Hendy and current Senator Jim Molan.

He listed several infrastructure projects he would fight for if elected.

“The East-West Link in the Bega Valley, the Brown Mountain Road, really needs to be addressed and brought up to a B-Double standard at least,” Dr Nockles said.

“The momentum on the Barton Highway needs to continue, but also smaller projects like the Bega Swimming Pool redevelopment are on my radar.”

Dr Nockles flagged the economy, cost of living, job creation, essential services and national security as critical issues.

He spent time campaigning remotely after contracting COVID-19.

Dr Jerry Nockles with Senator Jim Molan and Hume MP Angus Taylor

Dr Jerry Nockles with Senator Jim Molan and Hume MP Angus Taylor at the announcement of the $71 million Australian Satellite Manufacturing Hub in Jerrabomberra. Photo: Jerry Nockles Facebook.

Throughout the election campaign, the Liberal Party has pledged:

  • $694.4 million to upgrade and expand the Australian Defence Force’s operational headquarters near Bungendore, promising to create more than 300 jobs in Eden-Monaro
  • $71 million to build the Australian Satellite Manufacturing Hub in Jerrabomberra
  • $4 million to upgrade Narooma Swimming Centre
  • $2.5 million for the Googong Sport and Recreation Club
  • $85,725 to build a Telstra small cell mobile site to improve mobile coverage for Quaama

READ ALSO Has the Eden-Monaro bellwether seat lost its ear tags this election?

Greens: Vivian Harris

Vivian Harris is standing as a candidate because she wants evidence-based climate action, affordable housing and social justice.

“Australia is still a wealthy country with enough money to both act on climate change and look after its people, but we are currently spending on the wrong things and the richest people and companies are not contributing their fair share,” Ms Harris said.

“We are in a climate emergency and we need to act like it is an emergency.

“Dropping our emission by 75 per cent by 2030 requires leadership and investment but the cost of not acting is higher.”

Vivian Harris in front of climate action banner

Vivian Harris speaking about climate action in Bega. Photo: Greens in Eden-Monaro Facebook.

The Greens have outlined the following policies as beneficial to the Eden-Monaro region:

  • Rapid and massive investment in renewables, batteries and electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as grants for individuals to bring the cost of batteries and electric vehicles down
  • Free education from early childhood to university
  • Dental and mental health in Medicare
  • The One Million Homes policy, which promises to build 3000 to 4000 new homes in Eden-Monaro
  • Raising social security to $88 a day

READ ALSO McCormack offers a $20 million Wagga Airport upgrade if elected

Minor candidates

There are also several minor candidates vying for the seat of Eden-Monaro:

  • Darren Garnon – United Australia Party
  • Andrew Thaler – Independent
  • Maxwell Holmes – Liberal Democrats
  • Toni McLennan – Informed Medical Options Party
  • James Holgate – Sustainable Australia Party
  • Boyd Shannon – One Nation (replacing Gerard Nicol)

As of 17 May, 6397 postal votes have been returned for the Eden-Monaro. As of 18 May 31,634 pre-poll votes have been cast.

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Kristy McBain recently committed $1 Million to develop the Monaro Rail Trail with a focus on the Bombala end of the trail to support the town’s economic development. This should be added to the list.

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