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THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 2023
NEWS
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Crouch retains Terrigal despite huge swing to Labor Incumbent Liberal MP Adam Crouch has narrowly retained the seat of Terrigal after surviving a swing to Labor candidate Sam Boughton of almost 12 per cent. In one of the most closely fought battles of the March 25 State election, residents were kept on their edge of their seats as the vote count proceeded through the week. Although political pundits originally predicted a Labor win on election night, the tide turned as the pre-poll and postal vote count continued. A Liberal victory was announced on Saturday, April 1. As of Sunday morning, April 2, with 83.17 per cent of the vote counted, Crouch was sitting on 51.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote and Boughton on 48.5 per cent with a vote difference of just over 1,200 and an 11.65 per cent swing to Labor. With all four of the other Central Coast seats having been retained by incumbent Labor MPs, Crouch will continue as the region’s sole Liberal MP. He has been the Central Coast’s only Liberal State MP for the past eight years – the difference now being that he will also be the region’s only MP not a member of the
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch with his top supporter, wife Jill
governing Party. Crouch said he had remained positive throughout a “roller coaster ride” of a week in hoping for a win at the polls. “On election night, more than 13,000 pre-poll votes had not been counted,” he said. “There was still an enormous number of votes out there and I was incredibly humbled to be returned to serve the residents of Terrigal for another four years.” Crouch said he had received a phone call from Boughton on Saturday conceding defeat. “It was the first time in three elections I had received a concession call and I think that’s worth noting,” he said. “Sam Boughton ran a very good campaign.” Crouch said the large statewide swing to Labor did not
come as a complete surprise. “A lot of people forget the huge landslide victory for the Liberals in 2011,” he said. “When there are swings at a state level they tend to be very large. “Sadly some of my colleagues have not retained their seats. “It’s a reminder you can never take any vote for granted – and I didn’t.” Crouch said with a minority Minns Labor Government now leading the state, his focus would be on securing delivery of regional funding promised to the Coast by the former government. “One of the things that concerns me is that there have been no announcements in this election cycle about important regional funding received under the former government,” he said.
Labor candidate Sam Boughton achieved a swing of almost 12 per cent
“The Coast received millions of dollars of regional grant funding (in the last term). “The Seniors travel card alone brings $11.5M into the region and that’s just one program. “The government has made no commitment to continue any of that funding – we need reinforcement of our regional funding.” Crouch said upgrades of Central Coast Hwy and the Pacific Hwy through Wyong were just two projects he would champion through to completion. “This investment into roads and key pieces of infrastructure has to continue – this vital infrastructure pipeline must be seen through,” he said. “These funds have helped created an air of positivity in the region.”
Crouch said he had worked closely on several projects with Member for Wyong and newly announced Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, whom he held “in the utmost regard”, and expected that to continue. “I will be very happy to work with David Harris and the incoming government to ensure our region continues to get its fair share of regional funding,” he said. “It’s not about being in Opposition – you have to work in a constructive way and there is a lot more to be done. “Regardless who’s in government we all have to work together.” Crouch said he looked forward to the delivery of a new artificial reef for the region this year, which he said would be an “economic bonanza”, and to
the construction of a new TAFE in Mann St, Gosford. He said with a conditional contract of sale having been signed by Central Coast Council and TAFE, the responsibility for seeing the project through would now rest with the new government. Crouch said he would continue to push for the Central Coast to be the first region to remove shark nets. “I’m very passionate about that and have made my position on it very clear,” he said. “I look forward to working with the incoming Agriculture Minister; the Central Coast is perfectly positioned to trail a removal of the nets.” Boughton said he was proud of the result his small team had achieved, with even Party insiders surprised at the huge swing to Labor in the traditionally Liberal seat. “It was only possible because so many people devoted their time and effort into the campaign, and I want to sincerely thank everyone involved,” he said. “‘The swing that we saw in Terrigal was due the community feeling ignored on important local issues, as well as the broader state-wide issues in healthcare, education, the environment, and privatisation.” Terry Collins
Nashos spread Easter joy at Gosford Hospital Patients at Gosford Hospital received a special Easter treat on April 5 when Members of the Gosford City Sub Branch of the NSW National Servicemen’s Association and Affiliates visited the hospital with baskets full of Easter goodies. This year marks 25th year, the Nashos (as they are known) have held an Easter Egg Parade at Gosford Hospital, delighting hospital patients and staff with a friendly smile and chocolate treat. President Alf Hill said the group always enjoys the special visit, delivering the goodies to the Children’s Ward,
The Nashos prepare to hand out Easter goodies at the hospital
Maternity Ward, Special Care Nursery and Emergency Department. “Our members get as much joy out of the visit as the patients do, knowing that our special delivery really helps
cheer them up and lifts their spirits,” Hill said. “It’s really rewarding to do what we do and to see the smiles on people’s faces when we visit, especially the little ones and their families we
meet in the Children’s Ward.” A Central Coast Local Health District spokesperson said the annual Easter visit was always a highlight. “We are grateful for the generosity of the Nashos who
continue to do this every year and bring a lot of joy to our patients, visitors and staff,” the spokesperson said. “The Nashos Annual Easter visit is a time-honored tradition. “It is quite extraordinary the difference this visit can make to a patient’s day.” More than $300 worth of Easter bunnies were handed out, financed solely with donations from Nasho members. The NSW National Servicemen’s Association and Affiliates is a voluntary organisation and has fundraised over the years for many charities and worthwhile causes, in addition to several
national and global disasters that have occurred in recent times. New members are always welcome at the Gosford City Sub Branch for lots of social fun and outings. Ex-service people include former Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, as well as those who have served in the Police, Ambulance or Fire Services. If interested, contact Secretary Greg Mawson at gmaw6809@bigpond.net.au. Source: National Servicemen’s Association and Affiliates
Two Coast MPs appointed to Minns Ministry From page 1 Catley said it was a great honour to serve as the state’s first female Police Minister. “I look forward to working with NSW’s first female Police Commissioner Karen Webb, The NSW Police Association and all the fantastic men and women of the NSW Police force,” she said.
“For the first time in our state’s history we have a cabinet made up of 50 per cent women. “With this, Premier Minns has demonstrated the respect Labor has for all women in NSW and the importance of women in leadership in the new Government.” Announcing his full Ministry
this week, Premier Minns said the Government would hit the ground running to deliver its mandate from the people of NSW. The Minns Ministry is a reduced Cabinet of 22 Ministers, 50 per cent of whom are women (excluding the Premier). Women will take on the key
portfolios of Energy (Penny Sharpe), Police (Yasmin Catley), Regional NSW (Tara Moriarty), Finance (Courtney Houssos) and Regional Transport (Jennifer Aitchison). For the first time in the state’s history, an Australian Minister was sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita (Daniel Mookhey) and a NSW Minister will be sworn in
on the Quran (Jihad Dib). “I’m proud of the team we have,” Minns said. “We have a lot of hard work in front of us, and a big responsibility, but my team and I are up to the challenge. “We have a clear mandate from the people of NSW to rebuild our essential services, to invest in the people who look
after us – our nurses, teachers, paramedics, firefighters and police officers. “Our priority is to help families and households deal with the increasing cost of living, the energy crisis and to fix our schools and hospitals.” Terry Collins