By Mitchell Clarke
A new shadow cabinet has left Gembrook MP Brad Battin vowing to focus on delivering policy for better roads and improving road safety.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien’s new cabinet, which was announced on Monday 9 March, has seen the MP receive the shadow portfolios of Roads (Metropolitan), Road Safety and the TAC.
“I am very much looking forward to the new challenge in the role,” Mr Battin said.
“I will be focused on delivering policy for better roads, improved road safety and having a TAC that is effective, efficient and not cleaned out by a government who is broke.”
The Gembrook electorate comprises sizeable parts of Pakenham and Berwick and the suburbs of Beaconsfield, Emerald and Gembrook.
Mr Battin said he knew “all too well” the issues his constituents faced daily.
“Living in the Gembrook electorate I know too well the issues we all face daily especially in the south east with our roads,” he said.
“I see this as a great opportunity to hold the government to account – we are all sick of being stuck in traffic and stuck with Daniel Andrews.”
While Mr Battin continues to retain his Youth Justice, Crime Prevention and Victim Support portfolios, his Emergency Services portfolio will be taken over by the Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling.
“I would like to thank all those in the emergency services that I had the pleasure of working with in the past few years as Shadow Minister,” he said.
“I am inspired by the commitment, dedication and passion of our emergency services and the amazing people who put their lives on the line daily to protect our community.
“The emergency services portfolio is now in the very capable hands of Nick Wakeling MP, who is very committed to ensuring we have the best service that delivers community safety as the top priority.”
