Marsha Thomson at the State Election party for Footscray in November. 57248 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
THE Liberal Party is still too partisan in government and has been too slow to act on key Victorian Transport Plan projects, according to Footscray MP Marsha Thomson.
In an exclusive interview with Star, Ms Thomson revealed her disappointment at the Labor Party losing last year’s State Election, adjusting to life as a member of the Opposition and the Labor Party’s campaign to get vital transport infrastructure to the West.
Ms Thomson won a second term in the seat of Footscray at last year’s November election, but suffered a 10 per cent swing in primary votes.
“It (the election) could’ve gone either way … sometimes you know and you can determine straight off if you’re going to win it or lose it, but I think this one was too close to call,” she said.
“We’ll be working as hard as we can to make it a one-term government.
“I think we’ve adjusted very well to the change-over.
“We’re getting on with the job of holding the government to account with its election promises and for not meeting commitments that we believe are desperately needed out this way.”
Ms Thomson admitted being in Opposition was “frustrating”, but she’s determined to make the most of holding the new State Government to account.
In particular, she is keen to see the government go full steam ahead with Victorian Transport Plan projects like the Truck Action Plan.
“If they needed to have the ego boost, they should have re-badged the projects and go out there and deliver it,” she said.
“This was not a transport plan that came out of nowhere, it was a transport plan that was developed after a great deal of consultation, working with community, working with the industry sector and the experts.
“I think the Liberal Party has been very slow at getting started.
“(It) has to balance out the political interests against the interests of the state, and represent the whole of Victoria, not just those parts that are likely to provide them with government.”
