Michael Regan MP for Wakehurst: Northern beaches ‘blow in’ makes first speech in parliament
Michael Regan, the first independent state MP for the once Liberal blue ribbon seat of Wakehurst, made his maiden speech in parliament on Wednesday night. See what he hopes to achieve
Manly
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Michael Regan, a northern beaches’ “blow in” from the western suburbs who never wanted to be a politician, made a historic maiden speech in NSW parliament on Wednesday night as the first independent MP for Wakehurst.
The self-declared cricket tragic and U2 obsessive, who left high school in year 11 to be become a K-mart checkout assistant, snatched the once Liberal blue ribbon seat at the March 25 election with a vow to do politics differently.
In front of 130 family, friends and supporters seated in the gallery of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Regan called on all state MPs to be more respectful, productive and compassionate.
“Let the 58th parliament be the parliament that ‘gets it done’,” he said.
“Imagine a place where the community interest is prioritised ahead of personal interests and
milestones; where we all exercise our role with discipline and control and strive to be a good example inside and outside the parliament.
My request tonight to the Speaker, the Premier, the Opposition and to my crossbench colleagues is to execute our duties to the people of NSW in that exact manner.”
As well as thanking his family, friends and campaign volunteers for helping him get elected, Mr Regan also set out his priorities for making life better for the residents of Wakehurst.
He also reminded voters that local issues would be “dealt with, not ignored”.
And he reminded the House that when the first MP for Wakehurst, Dick Healey, made his first speech in 1962 his top issues were: the bus crisis, the local hospital, the lack of school planning and affordable housing.
“Sixty years later, that list sounds awfully familiar,” Mr Regan said.
He told the parliament that he would work to tackle issues including the lack of affordable housing on the northern beaches; improving bus services, calling for greater action on climate change and; stopping the push for a Petroleum Exploration Permit — PEP 11 — off the coast.
Mr Regan also focused on the Lizard Rock development at Belrose — the highly controversial redevelopment plan to build 450 homes in bushland owned by the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council.
“Approval was granted despite independent reports stating what a disaster that would be,” he said. “The Lizard Rock development is outside any good planning principles and not part of our agreed housing targets – and I will fight to ensure the approval is overturned.”
Mr Regan said he intended to “use every day to make the most of it for the people of Wakehurst and the people of NSW”.
“How on earth did I end up here in the 58th parliament of NSW?
“Because it’s no secret to anyone who knows me, knows that I never ever wanted to be a politician.
“Yet here I am.”
Read the full address here.
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