Belinda Neal considers her future

Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal is considering her future after announcing she will not run as a candidate for the seat of Robertson in the coming Federal election.

In a statement made on July 29, Ms Neal said: "I have worked hard for the people of the Central Coast for the past 25 years.

"I have worked as a community activist, Gosford City Councillor, Senator and for the last three years I have represented the people of Robertson in the Commonwealth House of Representatives.

"My period as a Member of Parliament representing the people of Robertson is the greatest privilege of my life and I will always be grateful that the people of the Central Coast had the faith in me to select me at the 2007 election to be their voice in the Federal Parliament.

"I am very proud of my record and the many victories that I achieved working with the local community.

During the past three years as the member I have delivered on all my commitments and even further has been delivered to make the central coast a better place to live.

"My greatest achievement was to secure a Regional Cancer Centre at Gosford Hospital including a Radiotherapy Unit underpinned by $28.6 million dollars of Federal Funding.

"I have delivered on all my commitments including $840 million for improving the freight rail between Sydney and Gosford which will also improve the reliability of our passenger line-relieving some pressure on our commuters, over $700,000 for CCTV connected back to Woy Woy police station to make our Peninsula communities safer, $4.5 million for improved the quality drinking water on the Peninsula, $84 million for improving the educational facilities of every one of our schools and almost $6 million for improving community and sporting infrastructure through our local council.

"The Central Coast is now in a better position than I found it when I was elected in 2007."

Ms Neal said many people had urged her to continue to represent the community as a local member and contest the seat of Robertson in the coming election.

"As to my longer term future I intend to take some time to consider and discuss this with my family and friends," Ms Neal said.

"My commitment to working to improve the quality of life on the Coast continues and I will do this in whatever role I find myself."

Media statement, 29 Jul 2010 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson