Returned Calwell MP Maria Vamvakinou has survived one of the most
ideologically challenged eras in Labor history over the past decade or
so, and she feels more than ready to face a future on the backbenches
after her party’s resounding defeat at the September 7 federal election.
“Being in opposition won’t stop me continuing to make sure this community has a voice,” she told the Weekly.
Australia’s first Greek-born female parliamentarian took the
seat named after former Labor leader and firebrand Arthur Calwell in
2001.
Ms Vamvakinou represents an electorate with one of the world’s
most culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She has survived
the Latham era, the rise and fall of Julia Gillard, and the rise, fall,
rise and fall again of Kevin Rudd, who she personally supported in his
return to the top job.
Ms Vamvakinou credits the outgoing Labor PM with turning around
what was looking like an even worse result for federal Labor had Ms
Gillard continued as prime minister. Calwell, particularly, recorded a
high informal vote this poll (7.8 per cent).
It also underwent a
boundary redistribution beforehand, and Ms Vamvakinou said the inclusion
of areas of Keilor, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham meant she would be
working more closely with older migrant communities.
One of her first calls is for a return to local democracy for
Brimbank council.
She’s concerned that the state government will try to
take control of the rollout of the state-federal Ford recovery package
that Labor earmarked to the north to help manufacturing communities
transit to new enterprises before the car giant’s closure in 2016.
“I’m
hoping the the new federal government doesn’t give in to Premier Denis
Napthine, who wants to spread this money around the whole state,” she
said.
