The Liberal Party has endorsed local Simmone Cottom to be its candidate for Hawke at the next federal election, after she was chosen by a meeting of party members in Melton.
Ms Cottom works as a senior tax consultant and says she is determined to give the people of Hawke the strong, local voice they deserve in Canberra.
“Whether it’s paying the bills, buying your first home, or accessing a doctor, life is so much tougher under Labor,” Ms Cottom said.
“I am honoured to be the Liberal Party’s candidate in Hawke for the next federal election. Labor has taken this electorate and Melbourne’s west for granted for far too long, and local residents have had enough,” Ms Cottom said.
Ms Cottom completed her secondary schooling at Salesian College in Sunbury and has called Sunbury home for more than 20 years. Her first job was working locally at Big W.
“As a member of Peter Dutton’s team, I am committed to working hard to get Hawke back on track,” Ms Cottom said.
“From Ballan to Bacchus Marsh to Keilor, from Balliang to Sunbury, I will be campaigning in every corner of the electorate to learn more about the issues which matter to local residents.
“This includes discussing the opportunities under our $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Program, and fighting Labor’s high-voltage powerline,” Ms Cottom said.
Ms Cottom is passionate about serving her local community. As a teenager, she was a member of the youth Rotary group, Interact, and has volunteered for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 15 years. For several years, she sang in the community choir ‘Divine Divas’ which would perform locally including in aged-care homes.
Ms Cottom is also deeply committed to greater investment in mental health services.
“After losing someone close to me who struggled with their mental health, this is an issue very close to my heart. One of my top priorities is to fight for greater mental health support,” Ms Cottom said.
