Liberal candidate for the seat of Mount Gambier Ben Hood will seek a leave of absence from his Mount Gambier City Council role in the lead up to the March 2022 election.
Mr Hood was announced as the Mount Gambier candidate last week, after winning preselection for the seat without contest.
Speaking with The SE Voice Mr Hood said while he was not required to take a leave of absence from his council role until nominations closed early next year, he was determined to focus on his candidacy role.
“I still have a number of matters I am working on with residents that I would like to square away, as well as some council committee work to finalise, I will seek a leave of absence from council as of October 1,” he said.
“With six months until the election my focus will be on meeting as many members of the community, with families, senior citizens, industry leaders and community groups.
“I have taken my role as councillor extremely seriously and dedicated a significant amount of time to it and I believe the role of being a candidate for the state election equally requires my time to ensure it is done to the best of my ability.”
Mr Hood said he was proud to be putting his hand up to represent and serve his community as part of the Marshall Liberal team.
“When my wife Elle and I moved to Mount Gambier from Naracoorte – 13 years ago we really fell in love with the place,” he said.
“We really felt there was something special here so I began to get really active in the community and joined the board of the Chamber of Commerce, became a director of Stand Like Stone and became involved in a lot of community events.
“I know Mount Gambier punches above its weight in terms of our manufacturing, primary industry, forestry, agriculture and seafood as well as in arts and culture – the community is just so keen to stand up and help others.”
Mr Hood said the Mount Gambier electorate needed to be recognised as the second largest city in SA.
“We need a strong voice in parliament and especially within government to make Mount Gambier matter and to make our voice heard,” he said.
“I am determined to see that we receive the infrastructure and the services that we deserve in such a productive and vibrant region.
“The amount of money that goes back into state coffers from our region is huge and we need to be able to have that advocacy, that strong voice in parliament and importantly in government so the case for Mount Gambier can be put as to why we need and deserve these things.”
Mr Hood said the electorate had so much to offer, particularly when it came to primary industry and agriculture.
“We have such abundant natural resources and I am really excited about the prospect of food manufacturing industries in our region, as that means jobs,” he said.
“We have the opportunity to capitalise and value-add to our primary industries like our great forestry sector and to grow those areas significantly.”
Mr Hood said he had been buoyed by the support from locals after his candidacy was announced.
“I have had a lot of support from the community and I’m really humbled,” he said.
“That gives me the drive and passion to be that strong voice that Mount Gambier needs.
“Our region is full of possibility and I’m really looking forward to getting out into the community and hearing from as many as people as I can.
“If we are going to make Mount Gambier matter, it’s got to matter for everyone, no matter whether you’re a mill worker, a graphic designer, working in retail or a senior citizen….
Mount Gambier has to matter for everybody, no matter your stripe.
No matter who you are, you know there is opportunity for you to prosper and thrive.
“I want my kids to look at Mount Gambier and know they can have every opportunity and still live regionally.”
