By Marcus Uhe
Re-elected Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards believes it was the “physical evidence” of Labor Party projects and investment in the region that secured her a second term in the Victorian Parliament on Saturday.
Ms Richards received 47 per cent of first preference votes and 58.9 per cent of the vote once preferences were distributed, in what was almost an identical result to four years prior when she defeated now Liberal Party Legislative Council member to-be Ann-Marie Hermans.
She spent the day at various polling booths across the electorate on Saturday, including Barton Primary School and Cranbourne South Primary School, before retreating to the comforts of home with a small gathering of family and friends to watch the results unfold on television.
When engaging with constituents on the campaign trail, she said there was a common word that was used to describe the electorate since she took over.
“One thing that I heard over and over was people saying that Cranbourne is unrecognisable now,” Ms Richards said.
“We have done a lot. People had seen what we were able to achieve and there was plenty of evidence.
“There’s the level crossing removal at Evans Road, substantial infrastructure projects like the Western Port Highway, the refurbishment of Cranbourne Secondary College.
“There’s a lot of optimism in the community and we put forward an optimistic proposition.”
The last four years have presented countless obstacles for the Labor Party, between the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, IBAC investigations, Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.
Ms Richards herself came under fire after allegedly accepting political donations from developer John Woodman ahead of her 2018 campaign to first win the seat.
But in spite of the turmoil the party faced, it was another comprehensive victory as Labor dominated the polls to win a third successive term in government.
Rather than dwell on what’s happened, Ms Richards and her constituents are keen to look forward to the future and continue on the projects already underway.
“There was an acknowledgement of everything that happened but it was much more common to talk about the future in 90 per cent of the conversations I was having. That’s what I think people responded to.
“What it says is people do want to see policy propositions that have substance. Substantial policy propositions like SEC, people responded well to having a vision.
“The Cranbourne Community Hospital and Camms Road level crossing removal, there’s benefits for jobs that are fundamental to Cranbourne and do impact deeply in the Cranbourne community. It’s the infrastructure and employment opportunities to go with it.
“The Cranbourne Public Hall, for example, we’re making sure we can get the best outcome by having community involved,” Ms Richards said of the $1 million commitment.
“That’s the perfect project to highlight how to get the best outcome. We’re talking about a community who use that hall that are cultural and age diverse. It’s about making sure the whole community benefits.”
Assuming a more senior role within Victorian Parliament, however, appears to not be on the to-do list after completing her first term without a ministerial portfolio.
“I’ve been lucky to represent the people of Cranbourne for the last four years and my intention is to continue to do that.”
With Labor Party passion running through her veins, Ms Richards is red through-and-through. She recalls handing out how-to-vote cards in the Federal seat of Chisholm as a teenager and her father was a “rank and file” party member.
He passed away in the lead up to the election in 2014, where she contested the seat of Forest Hill in Melbourne’s East, but even in his final days he had the party at the forefront of his mind.
“The last thing coherent thing he said to me was ‘that 2CP is holding up well’.
“He had a strong commitment to social justice and believed in leaving no one behind in language of equality and care.
“As rank and file member, he would be very proud (of winning a second term). He was often a person who held the party to high expectations, less a cheerleader than a feedback giver. He would be pleased.”
