Last days, last hurrahs for Jordan Crugnale MP
There's still two months until the next State Election, on Saturday, November 28 but with one sitting day left for the Legislative Assembly, some retiring MPs took the opportunity on Wednesday to pass on a few thank yous, retiring Bass MP Jordan Crugnale was among them.
THERE’S still two months until the next State Election, on Saturday, November 28 but with one sitting day left for the Legislative Assembly, some retiring MPs took the opportunity to pass on a few thank yous.
Among them was Bass Labor MP Jordan Crugnale, who in the brief moment allowed, showered particular praise on her “amazing electorate office team”, the people she works with every day.
Ms Crugnale won the seat for Labor at the November 24, 2018 election where she took over from the Liberals’ Brian Paynter.
In 2022, she famously retained the seat by the slenderest margin in the state of 202 votes, when just 89.11% of the enrolled vote was recorded and following a $290 million pledge to complete the second and third stages of redevelopment at Wonthaggi Hospital.
While much of that work is yet to be delivered, both the Coalition and Labor have recommitted to the task.
Over the course of the past eight years, no other local MP, with the possible exception of former Liberal Party Leader Alan Brown, who represented the local area with distinction from 1979 to 1996, has done more to improve the lives of Bass residents than Ms Crugnale.
From the development of the new senior campus of the Wonthaggi Secondary College, to the construction of virtually a whole new hospital for Wonthaggi and a new community hospital for Phillip Island; there have been many examples of education and sporting developments in particular championed by Ms Crugnale.
But there’s still time for a more comprehensive assessment of Jordan Crugnale’s legacy, and still two month’s more work to be done.
Here (in draft) is what Ms Crugnale had time to say on the floor of the Parliament on Wednesday, September 23:
“Many to thank; time the essence. To my amazing electorate office team - compassionate, professional, relentlessly dedicated, with community at your core and centre – Rochelle, Claire, Maddie, Jo, Steph, Nanette, Sarah, Kim, Sierra, Leticia, Sam and Leonie, you have held people through their hardest days, celebrated the good ones, been messengers, connectors, conduits and go-betweens, always with respect, care and dignity. You have been family.
“A special mention to Rochelle, fellow Roos’ supporter: we have walked much of this journey together. I cherish your friendship, diligence and flow of coffees more than you know.
“To my local Bass branch: thank you for your tireless support, camaraderie and love. Whether on the doors, at the booths, shaping policy, check-in phone calls or standing together, I am deeply grateful for it all and for your belief in Labor’s capacity to change lives for the better.
“Acknowledging the amazing people who keep this Parliament functioning with your smarts, smiles and warmth, thank you for getting me through.
“To the people of Bass across the electorate, past and present: thank you for entrusting me with this extraordinary responsibility. I am immensely proud of what we as a collective of people and communities have achieved and delivered and forever grateful for the opportunity to have served.
“And finally, to my wonderful, beautiful, funny, kind, curious and much taller-in-stature children, Luciano and Augustus, thank you for your love, laughter and hugs.
“You have kept me grounded, inspired and focused on what matters most.
“Un abbraccio stretto stretto, mantenetevi forte e tante belle cose.”
A Google translation might be: “A big tight hug, stay strong and lots of good things”.
Thursday, September 24, 2026 is the final sitting day of the year, and the final sitting day for Victoria’s 60th parliament.
