Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne has marked her first year in office, reflecting on a busy 12 months of community engagement, health advocacy and major infrastructure milestones. Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s State of Play, Ms Bourne said serving the electorate had been “an absolute honour.”
“I’ve had so many conversations with locals, community groups and businesses,” she said. “I’ll continue to fight hard for them.”
Health services remain front and centre in the region, with Ms Bourne joining Federal MP Shane Neumann last week to highlight Labor’s $8.5 billion investment in bulk-billing incentives. The reform aims to reduce out-of-pocket GP costs for families and encourage more doctors to bulk bill.
Also on the health front, Ms Bourne toured the new $129 million West Moreton Health specialised inpatient facility at Ripley, located beside the satellite hospital. The centre will provide 90 beds for older persons care and rehabilitation, helping free up acute beds at Ipswich Hospital.
With construction already underway on the Ipswich Hospital expansion — which includes a new emergency department and 200 additional beds — Ms Bourne said local health capacity would continue improving. “It can only be good for the community,” she said.
The MP also joined local police and volunteers at the Ipswich District Neighbourhood Watch Lapel Badge Awards, honouring community safety champions from Harrisville and Raceview. “We owe them so much,” she said, praising Crime Prevention Unit officers Nadine Webster, Chantelle Dowell and Karen Murray as “an almighty trio.”
As the community paused for Remembrance Day, Ms Bourne attended the Ipswich Railway RSL service while her staff represented her at ceremonies across the electorate. “It’s so important that we continue to remember,” she said.
The Christmas spirit is also building, with Ms Bourne recently lending a hand on McHappy Day at Brassall McDonald’s, helping raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Her office is also an official donation point for the Ipswich Ulysses Club Annual Toy Run, accepting gifts from 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Ms Bourne will return to Parliament this week and expects to resume her popular pop-up offices once sittings conclude.
0 Comments