Charlotte Varcoe
ROADS and health will be the main topic of discussion for Member of MacKillop Nick McBride following the Parliamentary mid-winter break.
Mr McBride told SA Today he was feeling “refreshed” and ready to represent the constituents of MacKillop after recently resigning from the Liberal Party and becoming an Independent.
He said as an Independent member, he found it “like a breath of fresh air” that his focus was now able to be “solely on Mackillop and the greater Limestone Coast”.
“This is for the greater good of the Limestone Coast and I have got a number of topics that sit right at the top,” Mr McBride said.
“Health is certainly one of those and we are going to be working very closely with the Minister for Health and try to address some of the infrastructure shortfalls in the region.”
He said he was also hoping to “pick up” on hospitals and services within the region which “have been forgotten about for maybe more than 20 years”.
“I am hoping the State Government will also take into consideration what role the Naracoorte Hospital means for the greater area of MacKillop and the Limestone Coast and waht role our hospital will play for specialists that will integrate,” he said.
“We are already hearing from doctors they know the hospital precinct does not meet the town’s needs.”
As well as the Naracoorte Hospital, Mr McBride also wanted to bring the hospitals of Bordertown, Millicent, Kingston and Tailem Bend to the State Government’s attention.
“Roads and infrastructure are also major issues and we have got a number of roads that are in the top 10 by Grain Producers South Australia that are in despair and are difficult for heavy vehicle transport,” he said.
“There are issues on roads between Kybybolite, Frances and Bordertown and we also have the Southern Ports Highway between Beachport and Millicent plus more.”
Mr McBride also confirmed he would work closely with local councils within MacKillop to discuss road infrastructure and the heavy infrastructure of roads which was needed for forestry close to Glencoe and towards the boundary outside Mount Gambier.
“We have roads there that are not keeping pace with the heavy transport as well,” Mr McBride said.
Speaking on his time thus far as an independent member, Mr McBride said it was “refreshing” and “exciting”.
“The first week was tough, not knowing how it was going to be received,” he said.
“I would have to say some of the language of my departure was not that complimentary which is fine but I have ignored it and ploughed on.
“It is all about MacKillop now and what I can do for my electorate.”
He said he hoped he could “surprise the constituents of MacKillop” by being independent and working well with the State Government.
“I think my chance of getting funding for MacKillop is a lot greater and higher as an independent than as it was when I was a Liberal backbencher,” he said.
“I am glad to be stepping back from the opposition role and now solely focused on MacKillop for all the right reasons and addressing what has been a shortfall for a couple of decades.”
