Responding to the NSW Government’s $150 million pledge for a Eurobodalla Shire regional hospital, Ms Atkinson said health services should be immediately improved. However, asked what health services Labor would like to deliver to the region immediately, Ms Atkinson was short on detail. “Labor supports any investment in health services,” she said.

“I don’t want to make this an election issue, we’ve got until March before there’s an election, Andrew Constance could step up right now, speak to the minister, and get those immediate needs addressed and prioritise health over the spend in Sydney.”

Ms Atkinson said she was “trying to gather” information about the shire’s health needs: “I’m getting out and speaking to health professionals now to find out what other health needs we have in the area of mental health, drug and alcohol and also the existing infrastructure needs.”

She was in Batemans Bay on Wednesday to speak with residents about Labor’s retirement village ombudsman proposal. Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Yasmin Catley MP joined her. They said a Daley NSW Labor Government would establish a retirement village and residential land lease community ombudsman to help residents resolve complex disputes. The NSW seat of Bega has 10 retirement villages. An ombudsman would reduce the number of cases being heard in the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Speaking to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, Ms Atkinson said an ombudsman would give retirement village residents a voice.

“We have a significant population of older people in this electorate, and I think it’s important for them to know what the benefit of an ombudsman will be,” she said. “If they have critical issues they have somebody they can go to who will help them resolve those issues. Having ... someone who can advocate for you is important.”