By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
LABOR candidate for La Trobe, Simon Curtis, has some big plans if he wins the seat in the upcoming federal election, and The Mail sat down with him to find out what they are.
A former City of Casey councillor and high school teacher, Mr Curtis believes the best way to direct policy is to listen to the people of his electorate.
“I’ve door-knocked or phone called nearly 50,000 people in the last 12 months and that’s how I believe in getting out and listening,” he said.
“I’m not one of those politicians that comes out and makes great big announcements that are going to solve all the world’s problems in one fell swoop.”
Mr Curtis said his main areas of focus in this election are health care and education and he wants to see those policy areas working hard for local people.
“It doesn’t matter where it is, the big focus is health care and education.
“We don’t privatise or outscore Medicare and I will make it a number one priority, I’m happy to pay taxes as long as it goes to health care and education in our society,” he said.
Mr Curtis also criticised his Liberal opponent Jason Wood for funnelling money into local tourist attractions.
“I look at something like running a red rattler out to Belgrave when there are already trains that go to Belgrave and at the moment the tourist experience is already great – getting a train to Belgrave without running a red rattler out,” he said.
“It’s about striking the right balance between attracting economic investment in the area and also making sure the locals can still go about their lives and enjoy the amenities of their own homes,” he said.
Mr Curtis said if Labor win the seat of La Trobe, he will make it a priority to allocate funding to areas of the community that are most at need.
“At this stage, I’m not that interested in pork-barrelling iconic projects, it’s all about steady policy and making sure people’s lives are better, when it comes to the iconic tourist destinations, they will remain that way.”
“When we look at spending taxpayer money we need to do it in the most responsible way.”
While Mr Curtis said he can’t announce project details just yet, he said he is having discussions with local schools regarding Gonski funding, local hospitals and their needs and about the best way to deliver stable and reliable internet to the hills.
Despite Mr Curtis living in the southern end of the La Trobe electorate his whole life, he said he is dedicated to improving the lives of people that live in the Dandenong Ranges.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in the hills and I have based my office in Upper Ferntree Gully,” he said.
“My natural base is in southern end and I’ve got the most local knowledge there, so it is important to me to spend a lot of time in the hills so that’s what I’ve done since I was pre-selected. “
Mr Curtis said he is dedicated to being the kind of politician that works hard for his electorate and delivers the results people really need.
“By voting for me, people will know they will have someone who is willing to listen to them, we may not always agree but I’m certainly prepared to listen,” he said.
