The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, has announced that she will not be seeking re election in November. This follows the retirement of the former Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allen, and the former Minister for Health and Member for Macedon, Mary Anne Thomas.
The daugher of factory workers who went on to complete degree level education and La Trobe University, Ms Edwards has been the Member for Bendigo West for almost 16 years.
During her time as Member for Bendigo West there has been significant investment in schools, TAFE, health care, child care and community facilities in Bendigo. This includes the redeveloped Kalianna School and Castlemaine Secondary College, the upgraded Bendigo TAFE, the new Bendigo Law Courts and the Bendigo Hospital Day Rehabilitation Facility.
Ms Edwards was elected Deputy Speaker in 2017 and Speaker in 2022. She has earned the respect of the parliament in those roles.
Inevitably the retirement of three local members of Parliament will see a significant change in local representation at the State election in November. The Wombat Post will begin its coverage of the State Election in September.
