Oatley Electorate

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-130397

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Oatley Electorate

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (19:02:42):

After what was a long and gruelling election campaign, I am proud to be back in this place as the re-elected member for Oatley. I thank the people of Oatley, who have placed their trust in me to once again represent them in the New South Wales Parliament. Rest assured I will continue to work each and every day with all my strength to fight for the people of my local community, ensuring that our local area gets its fair share. I may be biased, but I truly believe that my electorate is the best electorate in New South Wales. I am so proud to represent my community and my constituents in this place for yet another four years. Growing up locally and now living, working and raising my family in our community, I know that the people of Oatley are hardworking and compassionate.

For the past 12 years I have represented my community with pride, striving each and every day to transform our local area. Under the previous Coalition Government we saw a massive injection of investments and funds into the people and the infrastructure in my community, including over $740 million to redevelop St George Hospital with a new emergency department, acute services building, birthing suite and much more. We also upgraded our local railway stations, such as at Oatley and Narwee, and started construction on commuter car parks at Beverly Hills and Riverwood. We have backed in our local sporting groups with major upgrades to sporting facilities at Olds Park, Gannons Park, Peakhurst Park and Poulton Park whilst also ensuring that we provided the gear and equipment needed to help grassroots sports thrive. We also made it easier to get around my electorate with the widening of King Georges Road, the two brand‑new commuter car parks and much more. The previous Coalition Government transformed my community, and I am proud to have played a part in fighting for the services and infrastructure we deserve.

Whilst the election result may not have been what members on this side of the House hoped for, I am pleased to say that we ran a positive and policy-focused local campaign. I thank all of the unsuccessful candidates who ran in Oatley for their professionalism and compassion during this campaign and wish them the very best for the future. Our democracy is a great thing, and we are so fortunate to live in a State and in a country that cherishes the right to vote for our elected representatives in a real contest of ideas. I am proud of my work as Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors in the former Government. It was a privilege and an honour to serve as Minister, and I wish the new Ministers all the very best. Do not get too comfortable.

The people of New South Wales have spoken, and our State has a new government. I congratulate my colleagues on the other side of this House on their election win and wish them the best for the coming term. The people of New South Wales are counting on each and every one of us in this Chamber to deliver for them. Now in opposition, I am committed to holding the new Labor Government to account to ensure that it delivers the best outcomes for people right across New South Wales, but particularly in my community. I will fight to ensure that this Labor Government continues to invest in St George Hospital. I will continue to fight for upgrades to Oatley‑Como walkway and cycleway, the rebuild of Carss Park Pool, upgrades to Narwee Public School and the Peakhurst West Public School pool upgrades, along with Canterbury Hospital. I am looking forward to spending even more time in my local community, getting out and about to speak and listen to local residents, community groups and organisations. My door is always open and I am always ready and willing to assist my community in the best way I can.

I thank my campaign team—Jayden, Dylan, Liam, Will, Chanel, Bryce, Clayton, Tim and Rochelle—for all of their efforts and work throughout the campaign. I also thank all of the volunteers—and we had hundreds of them in Oatley—who helped out, and the members of the community who have supported me every step of the way. Finally, a big shout-out goes to my amazing wife, Adla, and our two young boys, nine-year-old James and three‑year‑old Sammy—almost four. I thank them for their unconditional love and support. This year James was a booth captain at Mortdale Primary School—we start them young. I once again thank the people of Oatley for placing their trust in me. I promise I will not let them down.