https://www.xxzza1.com
18.6 C
Newcastle

Dan’s the man to retain Hunter seat: Albanese, Fitzgibbon

SHARE

There’s much work to be done between now and the next federal election.

But, two experienced Labor campaigners feel Dan Repacholi is the right man to retain the seat of Hunter following sitting member Joel Fitzgibbon’s surprise retirement announcement last month.

After more than 25 years in the role, the long-serving MP will bid Parliament farewell in 2022.

However, he and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese were quick to extol the virtues of his potential replacement, Australian Olympian and one of Cessnock’s favourite sons, Mr Repacholi.

The duo officially launched the latter’s campaign, delayed until now due to COVID-19 restrictions, at the beautiful Toronto Foreshore on Thursday morning (14 October). 

“It’s a great day for me – to welcome Albo (Albanese) back to the Hunter electorate and, of course, to be standing up publicly for the first time with Labor’s candidate for my seat, Dan (Repacholi),” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“He’ll do an amazing job.

“I’m very confident Dan will retain Hunter for the ALP (Australian Labor Party).

“For his part, Anthony’s never been a stranger to the region.

“In fact, for all of his adult life – while an MP, he is a regular visitor to the Hunter, especially as the Infrastructure Minister.

“During that period, he spent a lot of time in the area, investing taxpayers’ money into much-needed projects, including the Glendale Interchange.

“But, even more particularly, the Hunter Expressway.

“That was a $1.7 billion project, which not only gets people to work more quickly and safely, it’s also really transformed the region’s economy, by spurring new industries up and down that corridor.”

Mr Fitzgibbon, who was elected to the lower house in 1996 when John Howard became Prime Minister, admitted the timing was right “to step away” from politics.

“I think it’s fair to say it’s not an easy decision for any MP to make,” he said.

“Even more so when you’ve been around for as long as I have.

“However, it was made simple [for me] for two reasons.

“Firstly, I was confident we’d deliver an excellent candidate in Dan Repacholi.

“That allowed me to walk away knowing Labor is in safe hands – and we’re well-placed to hold that seat.

“Secondly, Anthony has rebuilt the party since the debacle of the 2019 election.

“He’s steadied the ship; he’s turned our focus to the things that really matter for working families.

“And, in doing so, he’s restored Labor’s stocks.

“I can now depart very very confident that we’ll win the next federal election – and Anthony Albanese will be our next Prime Minister.”

The Labor frontman is also certain the party will form government because “Australia needs us”.

“Joel recognises that, too,” Mr Albanese said.

“And, I want to thank him for his contribution over such a long period of time to the great cause of Labor.

“The fact is we changed this local community in those two short terms we were in office.

“Look at the Hunter Expressway; the Howard government talked about it a lot but didn’t do anything.

“It took a federal Labor team to deliver that $1.7 billion project – the largest ever federal investment in the Hunter.

“At least $1.5 billion of it came from the Commonwealth.

“It created jobs, making an enormous difference to this region, and I’d like to make sure we can continue to achieve such positive results in this beautiful community of the Hunter.

“And, in Dan [Repacholi], we have a candidate who will carry on that legacy.

“He’ll join the other fine members in this area, such as Sharon Claydon, Pat Conroy and Meryl Swanson, in representing the interests of people here in the Hunter.”

Mr Albanese said Mr Repacholi’s drive to succeed in the sporting arena – which resulted in numerous Olympic and Commonwealth Games appearances – would hold him in good stead moving forward.

“He’s a great story,” he explained.

“Dan became an apprentice at the age of 15, so he’s someone who strongly supports the need to upskill Australians and give young people opportunities.

“He then worked in the mining industry.

“So, he understands issues like same job-same pay and the casualisation of the workforce, for example.

“Dan also ran a small business.

“At the moment, he helps manage an enterprise that works with about 60 people.

“So, he knows what it is like to run a business like that in the Hunter.

“He’s ideal to replace Joel in this seat.

“He is in the Cessnock Hall of Fame for his sporting achievements.

“I hope he ends up in the Cessnock Hall of Fame for politics, too, along with Joel, his father Eric Fitzgibbon and Bob Brown.

“The Hunter boasts enormous potential on many fronts – I believe Dan is the best voice for this region.

“I look forward to working with him.”

As for the man himself, a modest Mr Repacholi kept it brief.

“I want jobs, and a secure workforce, for employers and employees everywhere in the region,” he said.

“And, I know what we need to do to keep working together.

“I truly want to make a difference in the Hunter  – I genuinely believe I can do that.”

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.

More Stories

Newcastle Weekly

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Newcastle Weekly. News, Community, Lifestyle, Property delivered direct to your inbox! 100% Local, 100% Free.

You have Successfully Subscribed!