Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell will run for a third term in the seat of Mount Gambier at the 2022 State Election, saying he believes the electorate is best represented by an Independent.
“I’m proud to announce my intention to stand as an Independent again for the upcoming State Election,” said Mr Bell, who has held the seat since 2014.
“Our community has been very supportive and loyal to me over the last seven years, and I have worked every day to repay that trust through hard work and representation,” he said.
“As an Independent, I have worked with both sides of government to put the interests of our community first and deliver meaningful outcomes for our electorate.”
Mr Bell said he had ‘stood up for the electorate’ on countless occasions and always advocated for the city to be front and centre of State Government attention and funding.
“During my time, I’ve successfully fought for a ban on fracking to become law, ensured $4.1million in State Government funds for the Mount Gambier Regional Airport upgrade, and advocated for funding for a local MRI machine and renal dialysis unit upgrades and the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS),” he said.
“Through my advocacy, we’ve seen major inquiries announced into a range of local issues, including the independent inquiry into our hospital’s emergency department which resulted in a major overhaul, as well as the continuing inquiry into our forest industry to highlight the amount of log being exported through the Port of Portland.
“We’ve also seen the reinstatement of 110km/hr speed limits on the Bay and Carpenters Rocks Roads following major roadworks to improve the safety of these roads.
“Importantly, over the course of seven years, my office has helped thousands of locals get the advice and representation they need on a wide range of issues.”
Mr Bell first won the seat in 2014 with a decisive vote and was re-elected as an Independent in 2018 with an increased margin.
The incumbent MP believed it would be an interesting time for politics with pandemic related issues expected to dominate the March election.
“Cross border communities, travel and business restrictions – this has been our life for the last 18 months and my office and I have been there fighting for our community during some of the toughest times we’ve faced,” he said.
“This is a time when we need experienced politicians who are prepared to put in the hard yards for their community and represent their residents at a state level, whether it comes to voluntary euthanasia, cross border restrictions or dredging the Port MacDonnell harbour.”
Mr Bell said he was proud to represent Mount Gambier, a city in which he was born and raised and where he lives with his wife Michaela and children.
“Call me biased but I believe we’re the best regional city in South Australia and we deserve so much more,” he said.
“Regional people do not like being treated as second class citizens and many people have spoken to me about their belief that the Liberal party are city-centric and haven’t looked after the regions as well as they should have,” he said.
“The centrepiece of the Liberal Party’s State Budget and election campaign is a $700million stadium for Adelaide. Imagine what just a fraction of that money could achieve for the Mount Gambier electorate?
“We deserve our own focus and that is why I have put forward the Future Mount Gambier & Districts plan to seek investment of $100million to strongly position our electorate for the future.”
Mr Bell said it was often the little things that made his job worthwhile.
“One of the highlights of this role is that every day is different and you can often help people in unexpected ways,” he said. “Just a thank you note or a phone call from someone makes my day.”