Rattray’s bid to retain role
• Mellissa Partridge with MLC Tania Rattray are vying for re-election.
By Taylor Clyne,
March 30, 2022
The office for the Legislative Council seat of McIntyre will soon be up for grabs, but with that comes the possibility of losing the much-used headquarters from the main street of Scottsdale.
MLC Tania Rattray has held the role within the township for eighteen years, bringing with her a family legacy and passion for supporting communities.
This will be her fourth time striving for re-election but the first under the new electorate area of McIntyre, which spans six local government areas and nearly doubles the size of her former Apsley jurisdiction.
“This certainly has presented some challenges, but I’ve worked really hard to build relationships in those new areas while never forgetting and never not focusing on the areas that I have been the member of for 18 years,” she said.
“We’ve gained a lot of ground but with that so many wonderful communities.”
Rattray and her right hand girl, executive assistant Mellissa Partridge, have been together since the beginning both raising young children at the time and running a busy office that has been a resource for so many.
“We have a direct line to the government that no one else has and I am the only elected member of parliament based in this area which is a big thing for our residents.”
“This office is a real resource for all manners of community groups, we do newsletters, print outs, I’m a JP [Justice of the Peace] and we’ve really built up those relationships with government departments and ministers.
“Usually by the time someone reaches our office they are at their wits end.
“They’ve been around, they’ve had enough, and they just want someone to listen and help – we can do that.”
Over the time Rattray has reviewed and passed some key cases including Same Sex Marriage, Volunteer Assisted Dying and most recently the Container Refund Scheme.
“This one has been 18 years in the making, and it will be implemented in the next six months.
“There is always a bit of a question mark if you have the right model for your state, but time will tell if we have.”
Other key issues that are regular talking points throughout the region and office include upgraded safety features on roads, housing options and upgraded telecommunications for those regions whose services are unreliable or sometimes no existent.
“We are always very mindful of the detail and listen to everyone, this office is a valuable resource for our community, we don’t want to lose that.”
Nominations for the seat of McIntyre opened on Monday and will close on April 7 with an announcement for candidates expected on April 8.