By Alesha Capone
IT IS a long way from Craigieburn to Laverton, but a Victorian politician recently confused the two areas in a letter.
Yuroke MP Liz Beattie told Star she was “absolutely gobsmacked” by a letter she received from the Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge.
The letter acknowledged Ms Beattie’s contribution to the Craigieburn community renewal program – but went on to also thank the MP for her ‘commitment to the Laverton Community Renewal’.
“The minister writes: ‘I would like to thank you for your commitment to Laverton community renewal over the past four years’,” Ms Beattie told parliament.
“This left me puzzled. I am sure that if Laverton were in my electorate, I would be a great supporter of the project.
While Craigieburn is located within Yuroke, Laverton is within the Altona electorate, covered by MP Jill Hennessy.
“Given that Laverton is 30 kilometres south-west of any part of my electorate, I ask why the minister is thanking me for the good work done by the member for Altona, Jill,” Ms Beattie said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to invite the minister to meet the good folk of Yuroke.
“As she travels out from Doncaster there is a fair chance she may take a wrong turn or two and end up in Laverton, so I have taken the liberty of bringing in a GPS navigational device that I am happy to lend the minister for her safe and timely travels.”
Ms Beattie said she was delighted the Craigieburn community renewal project, started by Labor, would continue under the Coalition State Government.
“But I was very surprised, I was absolutely gobsmacked when I read the letter. As I said, Laverton is about 30km away,” she said.
“I don’t think too many constituents would go to Laverton.”
