Lowan set to benefit

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has described her shadow cabinet responsibilities for Mental Health, Prevention of Family Violence and Women as considerable value to the people of her electorate.

She said she was proud to continue to be a representative voice for Lowan as part of a Liberal-nationals Coalition led by Michael O’brien and deputy Peter Walsh.

“It is a huge honour to be asked to join the shadow cabinet team, and of great value to local people to ensure our voice is heard when it comes to policy development and holding the government to account,” she said.

“Our region has critical issues when it comes to local access to mental-health support and services, which is placing additional burden on people trying to manage their mental health, families, friends and work colleagues.

“We’ve lost too many local people to suicide.

“It’s time we see real action so people can get the mental-health support they need, when they need it, and avoid terrible loss of life and the devastating impact suicide has on our communities.”

Ms Kealy said the rate of family violence in the region was unacceptably high.

“We have many opportunities

“We’ve lost too many local people to suicide. It’s time we see real action so people can get the mental-health support they need, when they need it” – Emma Kealy

to work with the community to break the cycle of domestic violence, but we must see an enhancement of locally based support services to achieve this,” she said.

Before entering parliament, Ms Kealy spent 13 years working in the health sector, including as chief executive of Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital from 2010 to 2014.

“My experience in the health sector will be of great assistance to me in these portfolios and I look forward to working with the Liberal-nationals leadership team to develop key policies as we work towards the 2022 state election,” Ms Kealy said.