DR HELEN Haines officially opened her campaign hub on High Street last week in the lead-up to the 2025 federal election.
The hub will be staffed by local volunteers, providing a space where Mansfield residents can ask questions, voice concerns, and engage with their representative in Canberra.
"I'm really thrilled to be here, meeting with my volunteers," Dr Haines said.
"We're going to go out door knocking because I love talking to people."
"I always find there’s no better way to meet people than knocking on someone's door and just asking them what the issues are."
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Dr Haines emphasised the advantage of being an independent MP, stating she can take constituents' concerns directly to parliament without party constraints.
"The beauty of being an independent is that I can take the people’s issues straight to parliament."
"I don't have to wait for the party boss to say you can speak or you cannot speak."
"I’m not held back by that stuff because my only bosses are the people of Indi."
Dr Haines began the day meeting small business owners at the Mansfield Farmers Market before moving on to the official opening of the hub.
Throughout the weekend, she dedicated her time to door-knocking, engaging with voters, and discussing key issues affecting Mansfield and the wider electorate.
The campaign hub, located in the former Mansfield Menswear site, is easily recognisable with its bright orange exterior and cockatoo cutouts—symbols of independent politics in Indi.
"If you want to learn more about what I stand for, come in and have a chat with my volunteers," she said.
Dr Haines’ visit to Mansfield also coincided with the 138th edition of the Tolmie Sports Day, an event she has attended multiple times and speaks highly of.
"I'm opening the Sports Day today which is a really big privilege," she said.
"I love the event, I love the wood chop, I love the woodchucks, and I love the novelty events too."
"What's not to love about an incredible day in High Country?"
The opening of the hub marks the beginning of an intense period of campaigning for Dr Haines as she seeks re-election in 2025.
During her visit to Mansfield, she also visited the Station Precinct, a major local redevelopment project that has received two rounds of federal funding she helped secure.
"The Station Precinct project is moving forward pretty quickly thanks to two grants in the last 12 months, around 15 million dollars has been granted to Mansfield in the last 12 months, that’s absolutely fabulous, isn't it?"
"I was there when the work started and I’m excited that it's soon going to be finished, it's absolutely wonderful."
"That kind of facility, I think it builds confidence in a place."
"I think it gives a sense of optimism about a country town, like Mansfield."
Dr Haines has been vocal about the need for continued investment in regional Australia, particularly in infrastructure and housing.
"People tease me in parliament and say ‘you're always talking about sewerage.'"
"I tell them ‘you can tease me as long as you want but I'm not going to stand by and see our country towns be left behind.’"
She has been campaigning for a fair share of funding for the 30 per cent of Australians who live in regional areas, leading to national discussions and direct engagement with the Prime Minister.
"I've introduced private members legislation around this and I've led the conversation about housing infrastructure nationally."
Her advocacy led to the establishment of a $1.5 billion National Housing Support Fund, though she argues that more needs to be done.
"We need upwards of two billion dollars for regional Australia alone."
"I'm happy that the Prime Minister listened but the fund means we're competing against Melbourne and Sydney and Perth and Adelaide, I argue that rural Australia needs a dedicated fund of its own and I'll continue to fight for that."
While infrastructure projects like the Station Precinct have been making headlines, Dr Haines remains focused on long-term challenges like housing supply and affordability.
"You don't get anything easy, you have to be persistent and organised and strategic and that's how I've been doing this housing infrastructure work."
"I've been on this for the whole term of parliament."
"This is what drives me every day as a member of Parliament; I want to see the electorate of Indi thriving and prosperous."
"I want it to be a place where young people want to live and work and study and contribute."
"Tourism is critical to this economy, so we need multiple offers and the Station Precinct with the bike track and the museum and the wetlands, the playground, it’s a wonderful gateway into Mansfield and it will show that this is a happening place."
With the 2025 federal election approaching, Dr Haines remains focused on delivering for her electorate and ensuring that regional communities receive the funding and support they deserve.
"I'm really happy with the things I've achieved and sitting here in Mansfield today, I’m pleased to see some of the hard work has paid off."
"I love working with the community and working with local government."
"That's how we get grants and funding coming into the shire, through working together."
"And I'd love to be there again in the next Parliament because I know there's a lot more work to do."
"I've got a ton of energy, I've got lots of experience now and I've built strong relationships in the parliament."
"I've worked with a Liberal government and a Labor government, whatever happens this time, I can work with any government and get things done for the people of Indi."
Dr Haines has represented Indi as an independent MP since 2019 and will face Liberal candidate James Trenery in the 2025 election.
