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Clarke gives inaugural address

David CharlesworthHarvey-Waroona Reporter

NEWLY sworn in member for Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke delivered her inaugural address to Parliament last week, outlining her concerns and priorities for the region.

On Tuesday night, Mrs Clarke gave her speech to the first sitting of the 40th WA Parliament beginning by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land in her electorate, Bindjareb people.

During her speech, Mrs Clarke paid tribute to female politicians past and present, including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and May Holman, who held the seat of Forrest from 1925 to 1939 and was the first woman to sit in Parliament for longer than 10 years.

“I draw inspiration from these two great Australian women as I begin my journey,” she said.

Mrs Clarke said environmental issues in her electorate was one of the main priorities outlined in her speech, particularly on the protection of waterways and the need to shut the gate on fracking.

Mrs Clarke also said the shires of Harvey, Waroona and Murray which make up her seat, had been overlooked for a long time.

“Three local governments, throughout my campaign were very vocal that this chamber needed a refresher course on the geography of the region, as governments have seemed to overlook it for quite some time,” she said.

Mrs Clarke said standing up in Parliament for the first time was surreal and an absolute honour.

“All I can say is it was the pinnacle after going through the campaign,” she said.

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