By Gembrook MP Brad Battin
A Liberal today is described as a small ‘l’ Liberal or a big ‘L’ Liberal when referring to where they stand within the party on social issues.
It is difficult when you don’t totally conform with one of these titles, as I believe nearly every Liberal I know doesn’t.
I would describe myself as a blue-collar Liberal.
Before entering the world of politics, I have worked in the justice system as a prison officer, served in the Victoria Police and ran a small business after purchasing a Bakers Delight franchise.
I firmly believe in you should be rewarded for hard work, everyone is entitled to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and I support getting the Government out of your life, not more involved in it.
Owning a small business, I learned the hard way; the last person paid each week is the owner. It is not easy, and you have a responsibility for your staff and suppliers.
It is the experience of looking at your electricity bill and not having the funds to pay it that force you to learn about budgeting.
Many small businesses close within 12 months as they don’t have the cash flow capacity to stay viable.
I am always focused on success, and with this business, using family support, we passed the 12-month mark and improved the business creating more local jobs.
Of the staff who worked with me in the store some are still in the baking industry while others have moved on to operate their own successful small businesses.
Even one has moved into politics and is working on the policy for future growth in Victoria.
As a parent, I am passionate that every child should get the opportunity to succeed, and this includes children who leave the path they are on heading for a life of crime.
In Victoria, we should never celebrate when a child is locked up – although we know there are some circumstances where they must.
When you next walk past a ten-year-old, imagine how they would look in a youth detention centre.
It is too young, and yet we have seen children this young in detention.
It would be my purpose to make Victoria safer when discussing youth crime, but the answer is not throwing all young people in prison and throwing away the key.
It is about placing the services and support around youth offenders and high-risk young people, including their families, as it is successful in the north of England.
This is the only option to reduce repeat offending and reduce the number of young people in detention. We need to build alternative options and celebrate achievements targeted at fewer kids in prison, not more.
As your local voice in the Gembrook Electorate, I am listening. The issues that are important to you are important to me – getting home sooner, feeling safer, having access to education that is focused on outcomes and delivering better access to mental health support.
I get many emails a day, and I look forward to continuing to work on your behalf as your local MP.
