STATEMENT FROM SUSAN TEMPLEMAN MP

I’m delighted and grateful to have been elected as the Member for Macquarie for the fourth time. 

With nearly 90 percent of the votes counted there has been an increase to my majority and I thank every person who has put their trust in me to represent this vast and diverse community.

I am particularly appreciative of the support from the new parts of the electorate - Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay.  I am eager to work with Penrith Council to deliver the promised sporting and playground improvements to the area. 

We ran a positive campaign about better services and building a better future for Australians, and I am so excited to start the work including delivering a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to the Hawkesbury, an Endometriosis and Menopause clinic for the Nepean-Blue Mountains, see work begin on the new Richmond Bridge, and create a koala refuge in our world heritage area. 

The result also reflects the ongoing efforts of many elected Labor State and Council representatives including State Members Trish Doyle and Karen McKeown, and Mayors Mark Greenhill and Todd Carney, and I thank them for their support and cooperation as we work together for the region. 

It demonstrates the power of individual community volunteers who selflessly, for no personal gain other than to make a difference, give so much of their time to support me and the Labor Party. Whether union members, retirees or youth, there were hundreds of people who helped get our positive message out. A special thank you to the teachers across Macquarie who were on polling booths to inform parents about our historic agreement to fully fund public education. 

I acknowledge the efforts of the five other Macquarie candidates. After six elections, I know the challenge you and your families have just undertaken, and our democracy is stronger for your willingness to engage. I look forward to working with Councillor Creed as Hawkesbury Council continues to fulfil the 2022 election funding that I delivered to them. 

This is a very precious victory for my hard-working, committed and exceptional electorate team. We’re going to savour it today and then it’s back to work tomorrow for the people of Macquarie. 

ENDS