By BRIDGET SCOTT
DESPITE being dubbed the “invisible man” by some, ALP‘s Jude Perera was re-elected Member for Cranbourne after Saturday‘s State Election.
Mr Perea said, “it’s not all about having your face in the paper” when the News questioned him about his quiet campaign and reputation as a mystery to some.
“At the end of the day, it’s about doing what’s good for the community,” he said.
“What’s important is what you give.”
“That’s what matters when you’re a local member.”
It was a tight contest between Mr Perera and Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Geoff Ablett.
With a 1.3 per cent swing to the ALP this year, Mr Perera only retained the seat by a small margin.
Mr Ablett congratulated Mr Perera and admitted that a few issues at play may have cost the Coalition this seat.
Mr Perera thanked the Cranbourne community “from the bottom of his heart” for supporting him.
He said the objectives on top of his list for the next four years were the main issues that he campaigned for in the lead-up to the State Election on 29 November.
“The duplication of Thompsons Road, funding for a second school and providing buses to the area,” he said.
Mr Perera said the Thompsons Road redevelopment would be number one in his mind, with hopes to begin this in Labor’s first term in government.
He said he was pleased with his campaign and planned to have a big presence in the Cranbourne community in the coming years.
Mr Ablett put down the loss to a few major issues that needed to be addressed.
“We have to learn and continue to work with the people,” he said.
“We look forward to regrouping and will listen and identify the problems.”
He said he was disappointed individually that a few matters were not sorted out, and expressed his sympathy for former Premier Denis Napthine.
“I have no doubt our party will sit down and learn how to become better connected to the community,” Mr Ablett said.
