AN emotional new Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, says she is both humbled and honoured by the faith shown in her by the electorate’s voters.
In her maiden speech in the Victorian Parliament late Tuesday, Ms Benham said she had been overwhelmed by the support of voters who had given her a great sense of expectation that it was now time to get to work.
Ms Benham said she would be “forever grateful” that she had been given the opportunity to represent “every man, woman and child” and would do so with first-hand knowledge of the triumphs and tragedies the region has experienced, including the current floods crisis.
The elected Nationals representative said the Mildura region had faced challenges “over, and over, and over again”.
“This is the reason I’m here,” she told Parliament.
“This is the reason that I fought so hard to be in this Parliament, to fight for the people of the Mildura electorate.
“In the Mallee we need to fight tooth and nail for everything we get, but too often something has to give.
“The crops fail, the floods come, our socio-economic status is one of the lowest in the state, our unemployment rate is one of the highest in the state and yet we fight on.
“That’s what we do in the Mallee, we are full of fight.”
Ms Benham said that as a Year 11 student she was told she would amount to nothing, and now she aspired to be a vision for younger people in the community.
“The opportunities are endless in the great north west, you just sometimes have to create it for yourself,” she said.
The Member for Mildura said roads and transport infrastructure as well as healthcare were key issues that needed to be addressed during her term in office.
“The great north west of this state is just getting greater; while our roads and healthcare systems are failing us, I believe it is worth fighting for,” she said.
“Basic services for those who provide you with your family’s food every day doesn’t seem like a huge trade-off.
“Decent roads and transport infrastructure to get food to market and port, a doctor’s appointment when we need one … these are just two of the issues that gave me the fight to run for the seat of Mildura.
“Now that I’m here, my intention is to follow them through.”
Ms Benham paused to compose herself when acknowledging the support of her family, including husband Luke, who she described as the “backbone and heart of this operation”.
“My family has been and continues to be my strength,” she said.
“Words won’t ever be able to thank you enough, but I will work so hard that the outcomes just might be.
“To my mum and dad, who filled me with this fight in the first place by showing me exactly what it looked like, thank you.
“I hope I have made you proud.”
Ms Benham said it was now time to begin the hard work of representing the electorate that “punches above its weight every day”.
“I have ever and only wanted the best for my community and my promise is to do that, each and every day of the week.
“I am deeply humbled that my journey to represent the people of Mildura begins today.”
