Young Labor members volunteering for Kristy McBain in Goulburn, where an office has opened five days a week. Photo: Kristy McBain’s office.
Young Labor supporters have swelled the volunteer ranks for Labor’s Kristy McBain’s campaign for re-election in Eden-Monaro.
The Eden-Monaro MP and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories says the keen young volunteers are interested in a positive plan for the future of the country and policies such as free TAFE, reducing student debt, investments in women’s health and housing.
Ms McBain said she too was interested in politics when she was their age, and took a different path into the federal realm, running for local government in 2012 over a playground issue. Four years later she became Bega’s mayor.
Over the past five years since she replaced Labor’s Dr Mike Kelly in a federal by-election, she has connected directly with people through their community activities such as Men’s Sheds, CWA, parents and citizens groups, Girl Guides, Scouts, sporting clubs, Rotary markets and farmers’ markets.
But a boundary redistribution last year wiped out some of those connections.
“The redistribution, losing the Snowy Valley and Yass Valley is tough after representing them and getting to know them,” she said.
Now, she is meeting people in Goulburn and surrounding areas who have been added to her electorate.
With the help of volunteers she has opened an office in Goulburn’s main street for five days a week and says people are calling in to either say hello, or get advice on things such as Centrelink or passport issues.
“We would really love to keep (an office) open after the election and I am seeking some advice from the Special Minister of State and Ministerial and Parliamentary Service around how that would work,” she said.
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