MAURICE Billi has vowed to lobby for funds for South West Healthcare's Warrnambool Base Hospital if elected on May 18.
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The Labor Party candidate said significant investment was needed in the health and education sectors in the south-west.
"My priority, having lived and worked in rural Victoria for over 20 years, is major infrastructure investment into the health and education sector, which is desperately needed," Mr Billi said.
Upgrading roads, including the Princes Highway West - from Colac to the South Australian border - is another priority for the Stawell resident.
"We'll be looking at the roads and getting the significant upgrades that are required, particularly for our agricultural industry. I'll be making sure we get a strong commitment to get this (Princes Highway upgrade) done," Mr Billi said.
He has worked for the past 20 years in health and education and is passionate about ensuring vulnerable members of the community receive the support they need.
"We can only be judged by the way we support vulnerable members of our community," Mr Billi said.
"We've got more and more people who are falling below the poverty line in this country - we've got more and more people who are known as the working poor."
Mr Billi said Labor was committed to ensuring there was a growth in wages.
"People are really struggling - costs are going up and there's been no wage growth in this country for many years," he said.
Mr Billi said another priority would be fixing the National Broadband Network.
"We need to fix our NBN because it's second rate," he said.
Mr Billi said the south-west's agricultural community needed access to a reliable network, as well as reliable mobile phone coverage.
A vote for Labor is a vote for a united party, Mr Billi said.
"I think with Labor, voters will be assured they will be getting fairness, equality and a focused, stable and united party," Mr Billi said.
He said he was excited about the challenge ahead.
"I'm up for the fight and up for the challenge," Mr Billi said
"I'm really excited and feel humbled to represent Wannon.
"I know it's going to be a real challenge but I get the sense there's a mood for change.
"We've known nothing but dysfunction and chaos for five years."
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