| By Nicole Ferrie
After nine years in opposition, Steve is now close to achieving his dream for Bendigo
AFTER leading the ALP campaign for the late Dr Vic Dolby in 1980, Steve Gibbons has played a key role in 15 of the past 17 state and federal elections.
So it’s not surprising he finds it hard to get excited when Australia goes to the polls.
“Politics is a tough game,” he says.
But don’t be fooled. There’s an excitement in Steve’s voice.
In his responses.
In his vision for Bendigo.
And after nine years as the Federal Member for Bendigo and in opposition, there’s an excitement that comes with finally
being the government’s representative in Bendigo.
Or more importantly, Bendigo’s representative in government.
“I see my role changing drastically and I’m really looking forward to it,” he says.
“It’s like training for a grand final.”
As with all training, Steve’s preparation for the next three years has come with its fair share of frustration.
“The role of opposition is to hold the government to account,” he says.
“To probe, question and ensure the government acts with proprietry, and I take that very, very seriously.
“But it’s been frustrating for a lot of reasons, in particlar because of this particular government.”
He highlights the fight to secure funding for the Calder Highway duplication.
The fight for an MRI licence and arts centre funding.
“I have had to fight so hard for infrastructure funding for projects that are taken for granted in other areas,” he says.
“It was a vicious fight to get Peter Costello to honour his commitment to Bendigo for the Calder.
“The highway project was started by the Hawke/Keating governments and should have been finished by 1990.
“It was stopped by the election of the Howard government.
“It was frustrating and annoying to see pork barrelling for projects for other communities when I had to fight so hard.”
This, he says, was the result of a government that would not honour its commitments to Bendigo out of fear of the ALP retaining the seat.
“They wouldn’t do anything to assist because that may enable me to be re-elected,” Steve says.
“But only the senior members of government had that view.”
He quickly acknowledges those who respected his role as the democratically elected member of parliament.
Those such as Robert Hill, “who took the role of the local member very seriously”, the “extremely helpful Amanda Vanstone and Brendan Nelson”, was who was impressive in respect to local education issues.
He was also delighted when his opponent, Liberal Party candidate Peter Kennedy visited Trades Hall on Saturday night to offer his congratulations.
“That has not happened since Daryl McClure came to Trades Hall to congratulate David Kennedy in 1982,” Steve recalls.
“It was a pleasant touch ... it was one of the best campaigns the Liberals have ever waged against me.
“But the buck will stop with me now, and I’m fronting up to that full on.”
Steve plans to build relationships with local organisations who previously would have been challenged had they met with him.
And he hopes to implement the commitments he made in the lead up to the November 24 election as quickly as possible.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the new role will work in terms of being in government,” he says.
And in a few years time, Steve just may consider standing for a ministerial role.
But for now, he plans to get the job done for Bendigo.
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