By Kyra Gillespie
Vying for the seat of Bass in the upcoming state election is Labor candidate Jordan Crugnale, who wants her electorate to get their fair share on infrastructure and services investments, as well as for the issues facing the people of the community to be adequately represented in State Parliament.
“I put my hand up to make a difference; I want to make sure what is happening on the ground, the personal stories being told, the struggles I am hearing about and the big picture opportunities and challenges we face as a community are all put in front of the decision makers, get noticed, thought about and acted on today for our tomorrow,” Ms Crugnale said.
“I want to be part of that drive for change and social and economic reform. Income, employment, lack of youth opportunities, health in all its forms, family violence, mental health issues, housing stress, mortgage stress, and cost of living is on the rise.
“You chat with people living, working and visiting here and there is so much more to do and change.”
Ms Crugnale joined the Labor Party in March last year, after realising how strongly her beliefs correlated with those of the party.
“My own values and principles have always aligned with what the party has done and are doing.
“No other party has and continues to drive and deliver long term positive reform and protection of resources and assets.”
Before joining the political race, Ms Crugnale was a councillor and mayor for the Bass Shire Council.
“When we first moved to the area I noticed a lot of issues, particularly where ratepayer’s money was being spent.
“I thought council should really reflect the priorities of the community it sought to represent. So I put my hand up and was elected.
“My key areas of focus were making sure the council was financially viable, having a good internal culture, employing a CEO that could steer the ship well and that our vision was reflected in the administration, budget, and most importantly building and strengthening the disconnect between governments and the citizens.”
Ms Crugnale has previously held a number of different roles in a variety of areas, including education, aid, the arts and mental health – an issue close to her heart after her sister lost her battle with mental illness and addiction.
“I have worked in mental health in various roles for over 12 years. As a support worker in a drop-in centre you are up close with people whose circumstances vary considerably and mental illness brought them all to the one place.
“They become a family and you are part of that family by default.
“It doesn’t take much for anyone’s circumstances to change – all the more reason to show compassion, empathy and an understanding that life is intricate and fibrous and not so clear cut.”
Her parents migrated to Australia from Abruzzo, in central Italy in the early sixties, where her dad worked as a builder and her mum taught Italian in schools.
“I grew up on a building site, levelling concrete, carrying bricks, cutting tiles and making my dad’s coffee!
“We were teased at school, but I always threw the question of: ‘Can you go to another country and speak another language? No? Then talk to me when you can.”
As the Bass member for Labor, Ms Crugnale said she will double down on issues facing the region.
“On one side of the electorate the average age is 34, and on the other side it is 50 – so we have a classroom of kids being born a week and the demand for aged care and specialist health services on the rise,” she said.
“If we drill down into specific areas or towns, we have a few highs and lows: the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the state, one of the lowest household income per fortnight, we have one of the highest rates of family violence and one of the lowest rate of kids completing Year 12. We can’t shy away from any of this and need to look at it seriously.
“It is so important we have a robust economy, accessible health and social support services, modern educational facilities, efficient and reliable transport links, affordable housing, a healthy environment and job opportunities.
“There is so much to be done and I want to be part of it and make sure Bass doesn’t miss out – Bass matters and we are worth it.”
