MEMBER for Gembrook Brad Battin admits he did not have a strong political background when he ran for the seat four years ago. With the state election looming, he spoke to DANNY BUTTLER and BEN CAMERON about the learning experience that has been the past four years.
You’ve led a very public, very accessible campaign so far, how would you rate that of your opponent, Collin Ross?
I won’t comment on his campaign but mine has been out and active for the four years, rather than just the four or five months. The parts of the community where the name recognition would be more difficult would be the newer parts of the community because of the redistribution.
On a two-party preferred basis, Labor hold a comfortable lead. Are you concerned that some of that sentiment will affect votes in your seat?
The only poll that counts is on 29 November. The Coalition was behind in 2010 and won.
There would need to be almost a nine per cent swing for you to lose the seat – any chance of complacency?
Not at all. I came into this with not a massive political background. There have been some big challenges but I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve probably worked harder this time in the last 12 months than the first campaign.
What’s been the hardest point? When your wife was reportedly pushed outside a party event?
On a personal note, yes, with my wife, where a boundary was crossed from my view. That was very uncomfortable and still sits pretty uncomfortably with my wife. Some of the hardest times have been when you’re working with somebody directly and you genuinely can’t help. No matter what you do and what you try, you genuinely can’t help.
Can you elaborate a bit on that?
Most of them are around housing. The housing waiting list has reduced but it’s still there.
Is there a shortfall in the area, will you focus on that if you’re successful later this month?
I wouldn’t say there’s a shortfall around here. I had the opportunity to have a look at the New Zealand structure over there. If there’s something I could improve it would be around that. Until the list is zero you’re not going to be satisfied.
Are you open to a few more overseas trips then?
I’m never one to say no to travel but you’ve got to have a reasonable justification for it.
On the 24-hour Emerald police station upgrade issue, you said residents would not have to wait for police officers to travel 30 minutes from Pakenham to respond to calls made after hours. Do you feel like you’ve let the community down seeing it’s still the same situation?
I don’t believe it’s the same situation, they’ve now got an extra senior sergeant and three extra sergeants and seven new other ranks coming up as we speak.
But they still rely on Pakenham police station.
The station was solely designed around being a 24-hour station, and they’ve got extra police coming in now. In the future it will be a 24-hour station, I have no doubt on that. We said we would deliver the station, the station is there, the staffing is solely the responsibility of the Chief Commissioner, so they’ll start to see a 24-hour police presence through Emerald. And you’ll see that increase in the future.
How would you rate your performance over the past four years and would you have done anything differently?
I won’t rate myself, that’s up to the people of Gembrook. I don’t think I’d do anything differently. Maybe communication over that first couple of years.
What issues need more attention in Gembrook?
Roads and public transport. It still needs to be improved. Cardinia Road is the one I get the most emails about.
What’s your plan for jobs in the area?
The biggest one will be the rail upgrades which will deliver about 3000 jobs along the line. But 100 of those will be full-time in Pakenham, and full-time ongoing, with the siding yard. The Port of Hastings will also be a big one.
What’s your stance on legal abortion?
The bill which was put forward in 2008, I wouldn’t have voted for it. I had some personal issues with it. I’ll make a decision on what’s put in front of us.
Gay marriage?
I don’t have an issue with gay marriage.
Tighter restrictions on tighter donations?
Don’t agree. As long as you’re not being put in a position where you’re making decisions based on that. If you’re going to put it in for developers, you have to put it in for unions.
Banning the burqa?
Don’t agree. If somebody expresses their religious belief in that way, I have no dramas at all.
