Dr Joe McGirr is encouraging more young people to have their say in his annual survey. Photo: Supplied.
Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr is encouraging as many people as possible to tell him how they are doing and what issues, opportunities and challenges they are facing in the electorate.
The annual survey is open now and Dr McGirr said it was a useful tool to help align his priorities and to advocate for changes and improvements.
“It’s easy to form a view about what the issues are from who you speak to in person, who comes into the office, what you see online and what you see in the media, but this survey is a useful way to check in with folk,” he said.
“I think it’s an important part of keeping people interested in the process of democratic government, which is a really valuable part of Australian society, and something we shouldn’t take for granted.”
So far, more than 600 people have had their say, with cost-of-living pressures, housing supply and damaged roads all areas of concern.
“It’s a great snapshot of what we’re doing well and what we can do better but I’m keen to get even more responses over a wider demographic range so that I can advocate for improvements that reflect the wishes of the broader community,” he said.
“The responses that we’ve had so far probably fit with my sense of priorities and what I hear on the ground, but quite a large percentage of people also want us to do something more about reducing domestic violence.”
Youth delegates from across the Riverina participated in a forum in Wagga as part of the NSW Parliament Bicentenary Roadshow. Photo: Parliament of NSW.
In particular, Dr McGirr is encouraging younger people to let him know about their priorities.
“We’ve had a terrific response from older people but I’m hoping to also hear more younger voices so that I can better incorporate their hopes and concerns to deliver changes that will benefit them for decades to come,” he said.
“I think that young people have a lot on their plates and I’m amazed at the people I meet who are studying, which they’ve got to pay for, and they’ve often got two jobs and they’re juggling that with their family commitments and social life.
“I also take my hat off to parents with young families, many of whom are both working and they’ve got commitments through the week and on the weekends with sport.”
Dr McGirr said last week’s youth forum, which was part of the NSW Parliament Bicentenary Roadshow’s visit to Wagga, demonstrated the importance of hearing young voices.
“There were 45 young people from across the region in that forum down at the council chambers, and they were an extraordinarily engaged group of people with a variety of opinions,” he said.
“Some of the issues were the same, like roads and cost of living, but also public transport, access to mental health and medical services and also safety was an issue for young people.”
The survey remains open until 20 September.
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