MEDIA RELEASE FROM CRAIG INGRAM MP - MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND EAST Issued: Wednesday 11 October 2006

Print

Ingram to recontest the state election for Gippsland East

The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, today formally announced that he will be nominating for re-election for the seat of Gippsland East at the November 25th poll.

The 41-year-old was first elected in 1999, and returned at the 2002 election. He is married, with four children.

“It has been an immense privilege to represent this area over the past seven years and I have enjoyed working with groups and individuals on a diverse range of issues over that time,” Craig Ingram said today.

“As we have already seen, the upcoming campaign will be intensely contested and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“I believe that the past term has dispelled the myth that an independent member can’t deliver, with a number of positives achievements to build on the successes of my first term, including the Paynesville Ambulance Station, the new rural learning campus at Marlo, $31 million for sand management at Lakes Entrance, ongoing funding for the Gippsland Lakes, and the upgraded accident and emergency centre at the Bairnsdale Hospital as just some examples.

“As an independent, I have also stood up on a range of issues that we unfortunately could not win.

“With changes to the Upper House in this election, and the expectation that governments in the future are less likely to have control of both houses of Parliament, we will see a greater ability to influence outcomes of government and ensure more accountability of government decision.

“I remember when Gippsland East was hidden in the political wilderness; when my vote (and yours) was taken for granted; when the Nationals thought they could not lose and the Liberal and Labor parties thought they could not win.

“In the past, a vote in Gippsland East was not valued as highly as a vote elsewhere in the state.

“This has clearly changed.

“My commitment is that I will always value your vote and your support.

“I thank all constituents for their support during the past seven years and look forward to the challenge of the upcoming election campaign,” Mr Ingram concluded.