Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Saturday, the voters for Aston will place their trust in a new member. Roshena Campbell is my friend and our Liberal candidate. Roshena has the experience to do the job. She is a successful barrister and councillor, with a track record of getting things done. This by-election is also an opportunity to send Labor a message on their cuts to local road funding and to do more to tackle the rising cost of living. The by-election won't change the government, but it will be an important choice about who has the right skills and experience to be a good representative, and that's Roshena.

In their first budget, Labor cut funding for local projects in Aston, including the Dorset Road extension, Wellington Road duplication, Napoleon Road duplication and Rowville rail. In response, Knox City Council said:

Melbourne's outer east has been shafted by the Australian Government which has axed major road and public transport infrastructure projects desperately needed to improve safety and ease congestion.

Roshena is connected to this area and has rented a home in Knox, unlike Labor's candidate, who does not live in the electorate and has not committed to moving in. This by-election is about who is most qualified to do the job, and that's Roshena. She also has the character to be an outstanding member of this House.