NEW Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke is relishing life as an elected member of parliament after winning the seat at November’s state election.
The 36-year-old former firefighter, now Labor MP, has moved into the Young St electorate office used by previous incumbents.
It took two recounts before Mr Edbrooke was formally announced the victor over nearest challenger, Liberal candidate Sean Armistead, by a slim 0.9 per cent margin.
Mr Edbrooke said his office is “open for business” from today (Monday 12 January) although he has already been fielding constituents’ queries.
“The feedback from the community has been really great,” he said.
“My door is open and I’m here to seek answers for people from government ministers if required.”
The MP used his maiden speech in parliament last month to declare he is “honoured” to represent Frankston, “a beautiful city with a proud working history”.
“Some welfare agencies in Frankston believe the youth unemployment percentage in the area is registering in the high teens,” Mr Edbrooke said in his speech.
“Most of these kids are good kids and just need the opportunities that have taken from them. The increase of funding for TAFEs and the correct funding for our education system are ways of providing our kids a positive and a constructive future.”
Mr Edbrooke told The Times he formally met with Frankston councillors for the first time as an MP last week and it had been “really positive”.
He hoped any political differences will be set aside to ensure Frankston’s “reputation is lifted over the next few days”.
“At the end of the day, we’re all for Frankston.”
The father of three may be able to call on an expert to spin his way out of trouble if political problems emerge.
Mr Edbrooke thanked wife, Kirsten, and children Charlie, Hunter and Jack for “their patience, love and inspiration”.
He said six-year-old Jack had been told he “had to dress up to go to Parliament”.
“He ran down the hall and said, ‘What do I dress up as?’, so we almost had Spider-Man here this morning.”
