Russell Matheson says the minute he’s back from Canberra he flicks the switch to community engagement.
In an interview with the South West Voice, Matheson, the Federal Member for Macarthur since 2010, said the biggest issues for local people were infrastructure, jobs, health and education.
Mr Matheson also revealed the $20,000 write downs for small business in the Budget had been extremely popular in Macarthur.
He believes the next federal election will be held next year and he planned to seek re-election for a third term.
Mr Matheson, who served five terms as mayor, called on Campelltown Council to go up a gear in attracting investment and jobs to the local area.
And he confessed that if he was starting out now and had a young family he would not go into politics.
“This is a tough gig, it’s 24/7,’’ Mr Matheson said.
“When I was in the police force the last few years I worked a four day week and had three days off.
“Being in Canberra means a higher salary but you work extremely long hours.
“You’re virtually away from home and your family six months of the year and that makes it hard.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“If I had a young family I wouldn’t go in this job – no way in the world.’’[/social_quote]
A local through and through who has earned the respect of the community for more than 20 years of public service, Matheson came into politics via the world of sport.
An AFL player, he led the Campbelltown Blues to premiership wins, earning local acclaim.
Soon after he was drafted to run for Campbelltown Council in the early 1990s.
“I am proud of the fact that I spent most of my life here in the south west, educated at Liverpool Boys High, my father was a soldier, a Vietnam veteran.
“I think I have good connection with the community; my kids grew up here, they were educated locally.
“I’ve lived in Raby and now live in Blairmount,’’ he says.
When Matheson first got elected as a Liberal Party member, he was part of the then opposition, but has been in government since the September 2013 poll.
“I’ve been part of an opposition and now part of the government and I can tell you it’s a lot harder in government because people expect more from you,’’ he says.
“But I am proud of the fact that we are delivering in Macarthur.
“About $3.5 billion is being spent on major infrastructure in Macarthur, which is unprecedented.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I am told that it’s the biggest spend in the history of parliament on the Macarthur region.’’[/social_quote]
Mr Matheson says when he’s back from Canberra and meets with local people, infrastructure is the big talking point.
“People actually comment that they are seeing things being done around the region and they appreciate that,’’ he says.
People also talk to him about jobs, as well as education and health facilities.
“Labor will criticise, they will claim we are cutting health and education spending, but we are actually putting more money into both.
“Labor promised funding on the never never whereas we are also trying to fix the budget bottom line.’’
On jobs, the other big issue with local voters, Matheson said Campbelltown Council had a big role to play.
“One thing is that Campbelltown Council does not work hard enough to attract investment,’’ he said.
“They are sitting on a number of land banks they could reinvest into local roads and infrastructure, and develop the CBD – there could be tens of millions of dollars they could reinvest into things like the Hurley Street link, upgrading Badgally Road.
“They need to start investing themselves and not waiting for state and federal governments to always be kicking the can.
“That’s how Parramatta started, with major investment into their city, and now you’ve got major state and federal departments moving in.
“I put up an infrastructure plan more than 10 years ago and it was never acted on.
“They need a more progressive council, a progressive general manager who wants to invest into the future and into the community and that will attract jobs,’’ Mr Matheson said.
Admitting that there is “a bit of a disconnect when you’re in Canberra because focus is on legislation’’, Mr Matheson said the local electorate office of federal MPs kept them in touch when they were in the national capital.
“My office, which is in Argyle Street in Camden, pass on information that comes in via the usual ways, phone calls, emails or people popping in,’’ he said.
“Once you’re out of Canberra it’s all about community engagement. I get out there and get involved with community groups, sporting groups, schools and individuals.
“And people are always telling you about some need or other, and that’s how you stay in touch.
“Just get out there and engage all the time when you’re back from Canberra.’’
Mr Matheson admitted that when he first went to Canberra after winning Macarthur in 2010 he felt like “a fish out of water’’.
“When you go to Canberra you’ve got to find what it’s all about by yourself and learn – you have to become a quick learner,’’ he said.
“My aim is to run again,’’ Mr Matheson said when asked if he would seek a third term.
“I’m there reflecting the views of my community, what they want to see in the Macarthur region.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I am not resting on my laurels, I’m always out there working as hard as I can, and if the Liberal party selects me as their candidate I’ll go again,’’ he said.[/social_quote]
“If I were to take a punt, I’d say the election will be on during the winter break next year.
“Since I’ve been in politics I’ve learned something new every day about my community – you never stop learning.’’
Mr Matheson said one of the lessons he learned was that most politicians, no matter what their political background, tried to do what was best for the local people they represented in Canberra.
“Politician have never been flavour of the month,’’ he says.
“One of the reasons I got involved and stood for election was that I did not like my local Labor member of parliament.
“Now that I reflect on it I see that it’s the easiest job in the world to be a critic.
“But for me when you get elected you are representing your community, it’s not about self interest, it’s what you can do for your community.
“So you realise that no matter who they are, what background they are, what party they’re in, they are working hard for their communities.’’
