Steph Cooke - Our Communities Cannot Be Forgotten

It was a clear win for Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke during the recent election, indicating that the people within her electorate were satisfied with what she had accomplished so far and were confident she could continue the fight over the next four years.

“I’m really humbled by the result,” Ms Cooke said. “It was well beyond my expectations.”

“I am very thankful and grateful to the people of my electorate, not just for this election but for the three elections in the past five-and-a-half years. The support from the people of the electorate has been overwhelming. I’m looking forward to the next four years.”

Ms Cooke said that she thought people appreciated that she was someone who was both approachable and relatable.

“I take the time to learn about the uniqueness of each community within my electorate,” she said.

“There are more than 150 towns and villages in the Cootamundra electorate. I’ve really worked hard to understand the issues, challenges and priorities of each one and we’ve worked hard together to secure some unprecedented funding. If you’re looking to create and maintain places to raise a family, you need appropriate services.”

“I work with people, not against them. I am one person - one small cog in a very large wheel if you will. I think people have recognised what has been achieved.”

“I will take these challenges forward and work hard towards getting a good outcome.”

When it came to what qualities she thought she brought to the table, Ms Cooke said she had grown up in and lived in the communities she represented for a very long time and had taken the time to understand the people and their needs.

“Listening is such an important quality to have in a leadership role and then knowing what to do to help someone, working hard to achieve goals and I never give up,” Ms Cooke said.

“Remain positive and optimistic about where we are, about where we live. Local optimism is something people want. Ministerial experience is also a strength I bring going forward.”

Her priorities right now include:

• Ensuring we receive our fair share of roads funding;
• That the Cowra and Temora hospitals are finished through to completion;
• The commitments she made to the electorate if my government got back in.

“My government didn’t happen, but I will fight for the things our communities desperately need,” Ms Cooke said.

“The $19 million for equipment for a new police station in Young and $58 million for a brand new hospital for Coolamon. Improved services cannot be forgotten - nursing, teaching, policing. Our regional communities cannot be forgotten. We must keep in line with our city communities.”

• Topics:

• Politics
• Community