NATIONALS MP Anne Webster has said she is concerned for the Mallee in the wake of a devastating election result for the Coalition.
At the time of publication, the Coalition is projected to have lost 18 seats in the house of representatives.
However, the losses came entirely from the Liberal Party.
The Nationals held all of their seats and saw a swing towards them in Bendigo – which currently hangs on a knife-edge for Labor.
Dr Webster did not comment on whether the people of Mallee are paying for a poor election campaign by the Liberals.
“We are paying for losing the election,” Dr Webster said.
“What role the Liberal Party had to play, whether it was the campaign itself, whether it was the leadership, that’s going to be is for the Liberal Party to determine.
“I’m concerned about the Mallee over the next three years because Labor will justifiably think they have a mandate to continue railroading the Mallee.”
Dr Webster has consistently made calls that the Mallee has been ignored over the past three years of Labor government.
However, Dr Webster said she would continue to advocate in the same manner for the next term of government.
“It’s not a matter of my tactics; it’s the policies of the Labor government,” Dr Webster said.
“I engage with all of the Labor ministers, and we get small wins here and there.
“But what people need to understand is from a broader point of view, Labor is not interested in the regions.
“They’re not interested in Coalition seats – mind you, there aren’t that many of them anymore.
“The good thing about that is proportionately the Nationals will hold more seats.”
With an increased percentage of representation, Dr Webster said she would like to see more ministerial portfolios come to the Nationals.
Dr Webster said she has had conversations with Nationals’ leader David Littleproud about taking on a more prominent portfolio.
“I’ve had conversations with David Littleproud, and we’ll just wait and see what he decides,” Dr Webster said.
“He’s the leader and he gets to choose.”
When asked what portfolio Dr Webster would see herself as most effective in, the MP signalled regional health.
“I’ve been in regional health, and I’m very passionate about making a difference for those of us who live in the regions,” Dr Webster said.
The MP thanked all who had volunteered for her over the course of the campaign.
“I’ll be travelling the electorate over the next couple of weeks to meet with all volunteers who’ve been incredibly generous with their time and energy,” she said.
“It’s not easy to stand on a polling booth and take whatever anyone says.
“There are a lot of disgruntled people out there, so I am incredibly grateful.”
