After three years as the Federal Member for Bendigo, I have met and listened to thousands of locals who have told me their concerns and ideas on how we can better our region.

I am proud to be part of the Labor team which has a positive plan which I truly believe will make a huge difference to Bendigo and Central Victoria.

Labor is putting people first. Labor will fund our schools; fund health; and make sure we secure and create jobs across Bendigo and central Victoria.

A Labor government will make it easier for small businesses to create new jobs with a New Jobs Tax Cut, which will allow small businesses to be able to claim a tax deduction to offset the wages of new employees.

I will continue to campaign for our local defence manufacturing industry and jobs. The Land 400 Phase 2 contract will ensure defence manufacturing continues in Bendigo well into the future. The next Federal Member for Bendigo will need to fight for this contract and for Bendigo Thales. 

I am ready to continue this Labor legacy. Schools will be the big winners from Labor’s commitment to fund the full six years of the Gonski needs-based funding reforms with an extra $24 million for Bendigo and Central Victorian schools in 2018-19 - funding our local schools desperately need.

Labor will direct NBN Co to roll out fibre-to-the-premises to approximately 10,000 homes and businesses in the Bendigo region. So much of our lives is online these days and access to quality, reliable broadband connection has become an essential service.

I believe our strength is in our diversity and by working together, we are building an inclusive and vibrant community. Labor will help nurture this vision by investing in important community projects, with $2 million pledged towards the Bendigo Tennis Centre Redevelopment, $1.7 million towards the Bendigo RSL Soldiers Institute Memorial Revitalisation Project and $400,000 to restore Bendigo’s much-loved Chinese Dragon, Sun Loong.

Labor has also committed to defending Medicare, real action on climate change and cracking down on the use of temporary work visas to ensure local jobs go to locals first.

Labor will fund these commitments by making sure multinationals pay their fair share of tax, negative gearing and capital gains reforms and other transparent Budget savings. I will continue to be a strong voice for our region on issues such as community, jobs, health and education and I look forward to continuing this advocacy into the future.

- Lisa Chesters

The Bendigo Advertiser has this week featured the vision of each of the candidates for the Federal seat of Bendigo. Each was given the same space to share their views. 

The eight submissions are online at www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au