STATEMENT

Bob Cameron

Former Member for Bendigo West

Jacinta Allan MP

State Member for Bendigo East

Maree Edwards MP

State Member for Bendigo West

Lisa Chesters MP

Federal Member for Bendigo 

Bendigo Labor is mourning the loss of former Federal Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons.

Mr Gibbons reclaimed the federal seat for Labor in 1998, and held it until his retirement in 2013. He made Bendigo a safe seat, with a 10% margin in his career.

Mr Gibbons understood Bendigo deeply as a Bendigonian, something he was very proud of.

Mr Gibbons was a champion of defence work being done at ADI/Thales. This included the Bushmaster vehicle, which has recently been given national prominence as the Australian Government is giving them to Ukraine.

When the Fortuna Defence Mapping Facility faced being closed and moved to Canberra, Mr Gibbons worked closely to gain local and cross-party support – eventually convincing the then Liberal Defence Minister to keep the facility in Bendigo and base it at Longlea.

The duplication of the Calder Highway became a vexed issue in Mr Gibbons’ time, as it was going to be built on a 50/50 basis between the State and Federal Governments. However, despite its promise, the Howard Government reneged on the deal – and Mr Gibbons ran a long campaign until the Howard Government eventually coughed up the promised funds.

We extend our condolences to Steve’s widow, Diane, and his broader family.

Vale Steve Gibbons.