2017-09-02
Hon Tim Clifford MLC
What a journey. It seems like yesterday that I was walking the streets of the East Metropolitan region campaigning to get where I am now. The East Metro electorate is made up of around 395,000 electors and covers around 3,800 km2 so we had a lot of ground to cover. I was very fortunate to have a strong and dedicated team to help me campaign and for that I am grateful. Really my seat out here in Midland is shared with you. As I said in my inaugural speech, this is the peoples parliament, not one reserved for the elites and I could not have got here without you.
Being sworn in by the Governor of Western Australia, HE Hon Kerry Sanderson AC
In my first months I have focussed on getting our office in Midland set up and working with my team to set our strategies and plan for the next four years. With thirteen portfolios to champion, from energy to the arts, we have a lot of work to do as well as serving my constituents. I think its important 'walk the talk and with energy as one of my portfolios we have purchased a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Mitsubishi Outlander. A far cry from the beat up 1997 VT Commodore I used to drive!
I have spent considerable time in these first months getting to know our region and growing my understanding of my portfolios. As well as participating in my first 22 sitting days of Parliament, I have visited around 50 stakeholders ranging from constituents to local governments, community groups and experts from my portfolio areas. The local constituency is getting to know me and Im pleased to have been able to support them with their various issues.
There are a number of local community issues that I have been working with and I plan to stick by these until I see the outcomes we want. When I threw my hat in the ring as a candidate for the East Metropolitan area it was with the principle of advocating a fair go for all and I will stand by these community groups to make sure their voice is heard.
We are working to ensure that the Midland Oval is not turned into shops, roads and car parks and rather is developed into a Hyde Park like green space. Perth has 10% of its urban environment as green open space and Midland may have only 2% left. We are also fighting for Guilford to be registered as a State Heritage. I was happy to celebrate on the steps of the Midland Town Hall with local campaigners when the Joint Development Application Panel knocked the MacDonalds proposal to build in Guilford.
It really concerns me when I hear stories of people not being able to turn on their heating because they simply cannot afford to. I have been able to shine a light on this governments responsibility to keep power prices fair for all. When the Treasurer and Minister for Environment, the Hon Ben Wyatt announced that power prices would be going up, I ran a campaign offering a viable alternative to keep prices down and still move towards a future where the government stops subsidising power charges. We will continue to challenge the government as households continue to suffer from bill stress while advocating for more renewable energy options.
While I am still learning the ropes in parliament the chance to share my aspirations in my inaugural speech really brought home the honour of being elected and the opportunity to change things for the better in our community.
Header photo: Tim Clifford