By Bridget Cook
NARRE Warren South Labor MP Judith Graley has angrily denied claims she is ‘too good’ to live in her own electorate, saying her cancer diagnosis put plans to move on hold.
Shadow Minister for Scrutiny, Liberal David Davis said last week that ‘arrogant absentee’ Mrs Graley believed she was too good for her own constituents and refused to live in her own electorate.
“Judith Graley has so little respect for the people she has been elected to represent, that she doesn’t even live in her own electorate of Narre Warren,” Mr Davis said.
But Mrs Graley has defended her decision to stay in Mount Martha after being elected into the Narre Warren South position in November 2006.
“I always planned to move … and we were out there actively house hunting,” Mrs Graley said.
Mrs Graley said the plans were put on hold when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008.
“It took me a while to get through the treatment and I needed to be settled during that time,” she said.
“I also need the people and services in the area and my family, for love and support, around me and so my husband and I decided I didn’t need the extra stress of moving at that time.
“It was a decision we made reluctantly but it was in the best interests of my health, family and future.
“It also allowed me to have a full recovery so I could get back to work, and that was a main aim.”
Mrs Graley said she continued to work two days a week during her treatment and that she was mindful that she needed a place of respite.
“My home was where I could feel comfortable,” she said.
Mr Davis said it was impossible for Mrs Graley to listen to the community’s concerns about different issues while she lived outside her electorate.
He said she was missing out on the action and living out of her electorate showed little care for the local community.
Mrs Graley said just about the only thing she didn’t do in her electorate was sleep.
“I spend about 15 hours in my electorate every day, I’m the last one to drive out of the car park each night, the first one to put my hand up to go to a function and spend a lot of time at schools, clubs and community groups,” she said.
“I’m definitely not out of touch with my electorate.
“We work really hard at our office and I’m happy with how things are at the moment and the commitment we have.
“I’m proud of our achievements in the local area … we have done some fantastic stuff.”
Mrs Graley said she would reassess plans to move into Narre Warren South after the November State Election.
