O’Brien pledges cost-of-living relief for hinterland families and businesses

Q&A with Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien

Question: What are your key goals for the hinterland in 2025?

Helping families and small businesses tackle cost of living pressures is my first priority. Hinterland residents are doing it tough as the price of groceries, electricity, housing and insurance soars, and the increasing number of empty shops shows that businesses are struggling to survive. On one hand, I will be seeking a change in government at the federal level as Labor is spending beyond its means, keeping inflation high and prices soaring, and putting upward pressure on interest rates. On the other hand, I will be supporting local initiatives which provide on-the-ground support to our most vulnerable, especially the homeless, struggling families and single parents in need of help. 

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges for the hinterland in coming years?

Projected population growth in our region is significant and we need infrastructure to keep up. But we can’t allow all the attention and investment to go to the coastal strip alone. 

We need the hinterland looked after too, including investment in roads and rail, but this won’t just happen. It will require strong advocacy and a willingness to work together to get things done.

Q: What was the most important lesson you learned in 2024? 

Never give up! That was the biggest lesson I learnt in 2024. Last year, I witnessed so many families struggling to make ends meet, community groups surviving on the smell of an oily rag and small businesses living from hand to mouth, and yet they powered on and did not give up. I take inspiration from this.  

Q: What else would you like to say to people in the hinterland regarding your goals/vision?  

As 2025 gets underway, I’m conscious that times are tough for many across the hinterland. 

But no matter how difficult life gets or how lonely you may feel, please remember that no one is really alone as each of us is part of a wonderful community. 

My hope for the year ahead is that we can work together, share practical ideas, and get things done at a local level to protect our way of life and help our family, friends and neighbours who are doing it tough. 

For my own part, I’ll continue working my tail off to assist wherever I can. 

To serve as your Federal MP is a great honour and it’s a role I never take for granted. 

Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’ Brien: “Last year I witnessed so many families struggling to make ends meet, community groups surviving on the smell of an oily rag.”