Lismore MP Janelle Saffin is feeling “stunned” after her historic election win on Saturday, but says “it’s time to get to work.”

52.9% of the vote has been counted, and Saffin currently sits on 45.4% of the primary vote. This is up from 25.6% at the 2019 election, equating to a 20% swing in her favour. It is the best result for any Labor MP across the State.

The Lismore App sat down with Ms Saffin yesterday to speak about her victory, her priorities, and what Lismore can expect from a new Labor Government.

THE VICTORY

“I'm still feeling a bit stunned actually… it says something about our community, that they've expressed this hope and faith in me,” Ms Saffin said.

There has now been a Federal and State election since Australia’s costliest natural disaster hit Lismore last year. Kevin Hogan and Janelle Saffin were both returned with comfortable majorities, but are both from different political parties.

This prompted the question whether locals are voting for political parties or the leadership displayed from both individuals.

“I had a lot of people say to me that they don't care about [political] parties - we want you as our Member.”

“People often say to me that they want Kevin and I, here working together, and I know they would say that to him too.

“It is about leadership and how they see the leadership… some people said they’ve never voted Labor in their life, but are voting for me. They say how we’ve led them through the disaster, and I know that's what they said to Kevin too.”

WHAT CAN LISMORE EXPECT FROM A LABOR GOVERNMENT

“I've worked extremely well with the Government of the day… I'm not in their party, but I've worked well and was able to deliver things in our community,” Ms Saffin said.

“Obviously with a Labor Government and everyone I know, I've got easy access. But you know, I still had access to the Liberal and Nationals Government.”

“I do have some commitments that I was able to get from Chris Minns, our Premier… so those commitments will be fulfilled.”

You can read about these commitments in previous stories on The Lismore App: Saffin announces more community election commitments and Saffin announces $800,000 in community election commitments

“I'll still be exactly as I am – [the] needs of the community come first, and if the Government's able to deliver, great, and I'll express appreciation, and if they don't, they'll hear from me!”

PRIORITY NUMBER ONE

It came as no surprise that flood recovery is top of the agenda heading into a new term of Government.

“I’ll continue working with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC),” Ms Saffin said.

“They're doing some good work, they've got some great plans, but I want them to communicate better… I've told them that, and I've been very public, but I do have an assurance that that will happen.”

CHANGES TO NRRC?

The NRRC sits within the Department of Regional NSW and reported directly to the Deputy Premier. Labor will swear in their new Ministry in the next few weeks, which means we could see changes to how this important organisation is managed.

Ms Saffin wants to see a focus on relocating homes, making flood-free land available quicker, and a more local advisory board. 

“I know they have plans [for relocating homes], so I’ll let them announce that,” she said.

“We know they've got land, I know they've got land… and having that available for relocatable homes, which they have, but also looking at some people who do want to build and having affordable blocks ready for them so they can make an offer.”

“Ideally, that should have been offered at the point when someone's given a buyback. However, people who've taken buybacks, they don't have to move out straight away, so there is a bit of time.”

The work of the NRRC is being guided by an Advisory Board, and Saffin says they need to have a bigger focus on community.

“I remember the day it was announced, it was said it would be for community - community led recovery - and it hasn't operated like that,” Ms Saffin said.

“So I've made it clear if we have an advisory body there, it has to be community… there's no one from Lismore on it.”

“It was the Deputy Premier who picked [the advisory board]. I did give him a list of names, and I know other MPs did that too, but he ignored it.”

FLOOD MITIGATION

The CSIRO are expected to hand down a comprehensive study of flood mitigation options in 12 months’ time, and there will be lots of discussion about the type of mitigation – environmental solutions, hard infrastructure, or a mix of both.

“I always say mitigation is all of it, sometimes people use mitigation as though that's just hard infrastructure - it isn't - and if you look at it Australia-wide, and globally, mitigation is everything,” Ms Saffin said.

“It's from riparian restoration on our riverbanks, some people want dredging looked at, there's all sorts of things, some people want holding ponds, some people want diversions… but I'm waiting for the CSIRO report.”

During the election, Labor also committed $250,000 to develop an Economic and Environmental Recovery Plan for our region, set to work alongside the CSIRO mitigation work.

“I put to Chris Minns and the team, that I just want small amount of $250,000, to have a conversation… my view is we need stimulus particularly for Lismore CBD, industrial area, businesses… but really we'll have this money to have a bit of a look, and see what we can do.”

WILL SAFFIN BECOME A MINISTER?

“I'm not sure they'd offer me one. I am a bit independent. But look, I've got enough to do here actually… there's a lot to do here,” Ms Saffin said.

“But someone asked me last night, will I get a ministry and be able to have a say over the NSW Reconstruction Authority… I said trust me, I'll be driving it anyway… I don't need a ministry to get things done.”

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Janelle particularly wanted to finish the interview by highlighting the type of campaign that was run locally, and across the State.

“The campaign that we conducted here was very civil, and I pay tribute to Alex and Adam and the other candidates as well who stood up,” Ms Saffin said.

“Alex, Adam and myself had talked and we said it would be civil, and it was, it was about putting the best foot forward for each candidate.”