MINISTER PENNY SHARPE LAUNCHES SHOALHAVEN LABOR CAMPAIGN
Aug 12, 2024
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MEDIA RELEASE
11 AUGUST 2024
On 10 August 2024, Shoalhaven Labor officially launched its campaign for the upcoming local government elections at the scenic Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Key political figures, including the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Heritage, Penny Sharpe, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP, and State Member for South Coast Liza Butler MP, introduced and endorsed the Shoalhaven Labor team.
Aunty Jean Carter gave a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country, beautifully reciting Dorothea Mackellar's iconic poem My Country, setting the tone for a launch that celebrated community spirit and the natural beauty of the Shoalhaven.
Outstanding Teams in All Wards
Fiona Phillips MP emphasised that standing for election to Council is “all about community, supporting people, and listening.” She noted, “If you can’t listen, you can’t act; if you can’t act, you can’t fix the problem.”
Liza Butler MP highlighted Labor’s efforts to ensure representation in each ward of Shoalhaven City Council, stating, “Labor has brought back balance to the Council.” She added, “We are bridging the gap between the far-left Greens and the conservative Liberals to make fair decisions that the community needs. Labor cares about people and the environment.”
Penny Sharpe MLC commended the outstanding calibre of the Shoalhaven Labor teams across all three wards. “The team we’ve got reflects the diversity of our community. They really understand both the big and the small things, and they are deeply focused on serving the community.”
The lead candidates for each Ward—Deputy Mayor Matthew Norris (Ward 1), Veteran and Lawn Bowls enthusiast Ben Krikstolaitis (Ward 2), and Councillor Gillian Boyd (Ward 3)—proudly introduced their teams, each expressing a shared commitment to delivering positive change and sustainable progress across the Shoalhaven.
Ward 1: Deputy Mayor Matthew Norris, Kylie Lawrence, Deborah Shapira, Graeme Evans
Ward 2: Ben Krikstolaitis, Leonie Ebzery, Michelle Miran, Councillor John Kotlash
Ward 3: Councillor Gillian Boyd, Gabrielle Curry, Terrie Gardner, Carol Joyce
In his speech, Deputy Mayor Matthew Norris, lead candidate for Ward 1, highlighted key objectives, including improving local infrastructure and enhancing community services. He emphasised the importance of preserving Berry's heritage, fixing roads, enhancing the beauty and accessibility of the river, and keeping the Nowra CBD thriving. Ben Krikstolaitis, lead candidate for Ward 2, focused on sustainable development and strong community engagement, while Ward 3 Councillor Gillian Boyd spoke about the need for collaboration and cooperation to achieve genuine, balanced, and fair decision-making at the council.
Shoalhaven Labor’s campaign is focused on improving infrastructure and roads, ensuring responsible financial management, enhancing community services, creating job opportunities, and upholding strong leadership and governance.
We invite the Shoalhaven community to join us in our campaign as we work together to build a stronger, more prosperous region.
For media inquiries, please contact:
John KotlashWard 2 Labor Councillor
Shoalhaven Labor
0420459854
What a farce,
One only has to look at how Labor Councillors have Voted on Council matters to see that they are puppets of the GREENS!
Mathew Norris has done untold harm to your cause and needs to be looked at very hard.
Talk about a flim flam man !
Oh and Ben,
Before you crap on about me being soft how about you acknowledge this forum is a support mechanism for Labor in the Shoalhaven.
Thanks for nothing !
No politics in local government
Well done all. Only Labor can be the balanced middle ground between the Greens and the Liberal led conservative alliance. We need Labor to lead our council towards balanced responsible decision making not just the grandstanding vote buying of the conservatives.