EIGHT YEARS REPRESENTING
NARRE WARREN SOUTH
Checking Gary Maas’s 56 “Local Wins”
A review of the claims printed in the Spring 2026 Community Matters publication, 2018 to 2026.
56 claims. What did Gary actually secure?
Gary Maas has published 56 Local Wins from his eight years representing Narre Warren South. This review checks each claim in the order it appeared in his Spring 2026 Community Matters flyer.
The question is not whether a school, hospital, road or club benefited. Many did. The question is what Gary himself initiated, fought for or helped secure, and what was inherited, promised by Labor, funded through an ordinary program or simply announced while he was the local MP.
Each claim carries a simple evidence marker. The research method and its limitations are explained at the end. A red cross does not mean Gary never made a phone call or attended a meeting. It means the published evidence does not establish that he secured the outcome being claimed.
GREEN TICK: a documented personal contribution. RED CROSS: no demonstrated personal role in securing the claimed outcome. ORANGE QUESTION MARK: some evidence or official credit, but the precise role remains unclear.
HEALTH
1. $135 million Casey Hospital expansion
Funding for the expansion began in 2015, with further commitments in 2016. Contracts were awarded in 2017 and construction was underway before the November 2018 election. Gary later represented a community that benefited from the expanded hospital, but the project had already been funded and started before he entered Parliament.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Inherited. A major investment for the area, but not one Gary secured.
2. $35.5 million Casey Hospital Emergency Department upgrade
The Emergency Department upgrade was funded during Gary’s time as MP. He later sought updates and promoted the project. The Premier also credited him with helping deliver the Emergency Department and Paediatric Emergency Zone. That recognition should be recorded. What this review could not establish is the specific work Gary did before the original funding decision. The $35.5 million figure is the amount stated in his flyer; it has not been independently isolated from the broader hospital funding announcements.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Genuine later investment. The Government credited Gary with helping deliver it, but his precise role before funding was not established.
3. Victorian Virtual Emergency Department
This is a Victorian health service used well beyond Narre Warren South. Gary promoted it and asked about the benefits for local residents.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide service with local benefits, not a program secured specifically for this electorate.
4. Chemist Care Now
Chemist Care Now is a statewide pharmacy initiative. Gary promoted it locally and acknowledged advocacy by the Pharmacy Guild.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide Government policy.
EDUCATION
5. $5.4 million Narre Warren South P–12 Performing Arts Centre and inclusive learning space
The major funding for the Performing Arts Centre was committed before Gary was elected. The completed facility was named after his predecessor, Judith Graley. Later inclusive learning facilities involved separate funding and should not be confused with the original centre.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Main project inherited, with later separate school investment.
6. Hampton Park Primary School community hub
This was a genuine local project funded through a Government capital program. Gary supported and promoted it, but the public material reviewed did not establish that he secured the funding before it was announced.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local investment. Gary’s role in obtaining the funding was not established.
7. More than $14 million for Hampton Park Secondary College
The redevelopment happened in stages. The first began before Gary was elected. The second was a Labor election commitment made before the 2018 election. Further funding came during his term, and Gary remained involved with the school. The combined amount should not be treated as a single project he personally secured.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Part inherited, part election commitment and part later Government investment.
8. Hillsmeade Primary School maintenance
The works were funded through established Government school maintenance arrangements.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. School maintenance program. No separate securing role established.
9. Heritage College Early Learning Centre and $3.6 million classroom upgrades
The flyer groups different Heritage College projects together. The Early Learning Centre and later classroom and accessibility works were separate investments. The public record reviewed does not establish that Gary secured the funding before the decisions were made.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Genuine Government investments, without a documented pre-funding role for Gary.
10. Free three- and four-year-old kinder
The policy applies across Victoria, not just Narre Warren South.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide policy.
11. Free TAFE
The program is available across Victoria to eligible students.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide policy.
12. $10 million Strathaird Primary School upgrade
The money was provided in the 2020–21 State Budget. Gary supported the school and promoted the investment. Evidence that he secured the allocation before the Budget was not identified.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local school investment, but no clear evidence Gary secured it.
13. $747,000 to expand rugby academies
The $747,000 supported an expansion across Victorian schools, including a local academy. It was not a $747,000 grant solely to Narre Warren South. Gary supported the local program.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Broader education and sport program with local benefit.
14. $13.6 million Lyndhurst Secondary College upgrade
This was a Labor election commitment before the school entered Gary’s electorate following redistribution. Gary later worked with the principal and spoke about the project. That does not establish that he obtained the original commitment.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Existing Labor election commitment, followed by Gary’s involvement with the school.
15. Kala Primary School and kindergarten
Kala Primary School was a 2022 Labor election commitment. The Government later credited Gary with helping deliver the school. That recognition is relevant, although the public record reviewed does not establish who secured its inclusion in the original election promise.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Labor election commitment. The government later credited Gary with helping deliver it.
16. Beacon Hindi language program at Alkira Secondary College
Alkira was part of a language program involving several schools. The larger funding amount should not be treated as money spent solely at Alkira.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Broader Government program with local benefit.
COMMUNITY
17. $650,000 towards Narre Warren South Scout Hall
The local project drew on a wider commitment to Scout infrastructure. Gary supported and promoted it. No clear public evidence was found showing he secured the local allocation before the decision.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local benefit from a broader commitment; Gary’s securing role not established.
18. $100,000 Fairway and Somerville Road streetscape works
This was a local funding allocation. The material reviewed did not establish Gary’s role in obtaining it.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local investment; no clear evidence Gary secured it.
19. Littlecroft Family and Community Centre and Strong Drive Children’s Centre
These were State and Council investments supported through existing programs, including the Growing Suburbs Fund. Gary later promoted the projects.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. State and Council program funding.
20. $50,000 Hampton Park Uniting Church
The funding followed a Labor commitment.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Labor commitment and Government grant.
21. Two-storey pavilion at Robert Booth Reserve
The pavilion is a genuine local capital project. No clear evidence was identified showing Gary secured its funding before the decision.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local investment; individual securing role not established.
22. $100,000 KM Reedy Reserve cricket training facility
The grant came through the Community Cricket Program, with City of Casey and the club also involved. Gary’s material acknowledged the club’s advocacy and Council’s contribution. His later parliamentary question concerned facilities already completed.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government sporting grant with club and Council contributions to the outcome.
23. $50,000 Casey Radio
The funding followed a Labor commitment.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Labor commitment and Government grant.
24. Hampton Park Bowls Club pavilion
The funding was already committed when Gary later sought information about completion.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government investment; Gary followed up after the funding decision.
25. $1.5 million Strathaird Reserve pavilion
Gary has said he met Narre South Cricket Club representatives about upgrade ideas before the funding was announced. That supports a genuine earlier involvement, although the evidence found for it comes mainly from Gary’s own account.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Evidence of Gary’s involvement before funding, principally from his own statements.
26. $550,000 Hampton Park Tennis Club pavilion and lights
This was a 2022 Labor election commitment that was later delivered. The material reviewed did not establish a separate role for Gary in securing the original promise.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Labor election commitment.
27. $1.2 million Grices Road Recreation Reserve pavilion
Gary publicly described working with Berwick Churches Soccer Club for several years before the funding commitment, and later said he helped secure the $1.2 million. The sequence supports a genuine role before the decision.
✓ DOCUMENTED CONTRIBUTION. Strong evidence of Gary advocating before funding and helping deliver a local outcome. Credit is warranted.
28. KM Reedy Reserve floodlighting
The lights were supported through Government sporting infrastructure funding. No clear evidence was found showing Gary secured the allocation before it was announced.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government sporting program; securing role not established.
29. $250,000 Berwick Springs Recreation Reserve changerooms
The allocation was announced in the 2026 State Budget. Gary later asked about the benefit for women and girls.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government commitment; documented parliamentary follow-up came after the announcement.
30. $250,000 Hampton Park Shopping Centre upgrades
Funding came through the Multicultural Business Precinct Revitalisation Program, with City of Casey responsible for delivery. Gary promoted the grant and later sought an update.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government grant program with Council delivery.
31. VCAT affirming EPA’s decision to deny Veolia’s waste transfer station
This deserves more scrutiny than an ordinary funding announcement.
The community mounted sustained opposition to Veolia’s proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
In 2021, local residents were already asking their MPs to investigate the proposal and, if it was real, convey strong community opposition.
Gary raised those concerns with City of Casey and corresponded with the community.
His response at that stage explained that the Hallam Road Hub Plan already contemplated a future transfer station and that consultation would principally concern implementation.
Later, the Veolia proposal attracted more than 700 submissions.
EPA independently assessed the application and refused the development licence.
Veolia appealed.
VCAT upheld EPA’s refusal.
What did Gary do?
Gary raised concerns, wrote and forwarded correspondence, kept residents informed and ultimately supported the outcome.
In practical terms, the available public record shows him writing a few letters, raising the issue with Council and supporting the community’s position as the regulatory process developed.
That is representation.
It is a long way from demonstrating that Gary led the campaign, changed Government policy, caused EPA to refuse the application or produced the VCAT decision.
The decisive actions came from community mobilisation, hundreds of submissions, EPA’s independent assessment and VCAT’s confirmation.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Community-driven opposition followed by independent EPA and VCAT decisions. It was unquestionably a Local Win. The evidence does not support describing it as a Gary Maas-delivered outcome.
COST OF LIVING
32. First Home Buyer grants and concessions
These grants and stamp duty concessions are available to eligible buyers throughout Victoria.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide housing assistance.
33. Solar Homes rebates
Solar Homes rebates are part of a Victorian scheme, not a special allocation for Narre Warren South.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide rebate scheme.
34. Four rounds of the $250 Power Saving Bonus
The four rounds of payments were offered to eligible Victorian households.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide household assistance.
35. $100 Power Saving Bonus for concession card holders
This payment was directed to eligible concession card holders across Victoria.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide concession payment.
36. $400 School Saving Bonus
The School Saving Bonus was introduced for eligible families through the Victorian education system.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide school assistance.
37. Free school breakfasts, glasses and dental checks
These are separate Victorian school and health programs. Local families benefit, as do families elsewhere in the state.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide school and health programs.
38. Half-price public transport
This fare measure applies across the Victorian public transport network to eligible travellers.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide fare policy.
39. Free public transport for under-18s
The concession is available to eligible young people throughout Victoria.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide fare policy.
40. Free weekend public transport for eligible seniors, carers and disability support pensioners
The weekend travel benefit applies to eligible Victorians, not only residents of this electorate.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide concession.
41. $200 Get Active Kids vouchers
Get Active Kids is a Victorian voucher scheme that helps eligible families with sport and recreation costs.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide participation program.
42. 20% registration rebate
The registration rebate was a broader Victorian measure, not a local grant.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide policy.
SAFETY
43. Narre Warren and Clyde North police stations, part of a $78 million south-east investment
These stations formed part of a wider police infrastructure package across the south-east. The $78 million was not spent solely in Narre Warren South. Gary supported and promoted the projects; the parliamentary material identified involved him asking about their benefits after the program was underway.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Regional police investment, not a $78 million local allocation secured by Gary.
44. Operation Pulse at Fountain Gate
Operation Pulse is a broader police initiative deployed in busy locations. Gary promoted its local use.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Broader policing program with local benefit.
45. New laws for violent crime and early intervention
The legislation and programs apply across Victoria.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide justice policy.
46. Tougher bail laws
Bail laws apply throughout Victoria.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Statewide justice policy.
ROADS AND TRANSPORT
47. Hallam Road, Webb Street and Evans Road level crossing removals
These were substantial transport works delivered through wider Government programs. Gary supported and promoted them. The Premier later credited him with helping deliver the Webb Street removal and rebuilt Narre Warren Station. That attribution deserves recognition, but the particular work Gary undertook before those funding decisions was not established in the material reviewed.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Major Government transport projects. Government later credited Gary in relation to Webb Street.
48. New Narre Warren, Hallam and Merinda Park stations
The station works were part of broader transport investment across the south-east. The Government later credited Gary with helping deliver Narre Warren Station.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Major Government projects with local benefit; later Government credit for Gary on Narre Warren Station.
49. Clyde Road level crossing removal and underpass
This was part of the Level Crossing Removal Program. Gary supported and promoted it, but the material reviewed does not establish that he secured the original project.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Major Government transport project; Gary’s securing role not established.
50. $10 million Merinda Park Station improvements
The station improvements were real. By the time Gary raised them in Parliament, the works had already been completed.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government investment; Gary’s parliamentary follow-up came after completion.
51. Routes 863 and 895, part of a $109 million package
Local bus services benefited from a broader Victorian Government package. The $109 million was not an allocation to Narre Warren South alone.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local benefit from statewide bus funding.
52. Metro Tunnel
The Metro Tunnel is a Melbourne-wide rail project. Cranbourne and Pakenham line passengers benefit, but it was not a project secured for this electorate by Gary.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Major metropolitan project with local benefit.
53. O’Shea Road upgrade
The original road project was established before Gary entered Parliament. He later represented residents concerned about noise, lighting, privacy and amenity. That is genuine constituent work and should be recognised separately from securing the original project.
✓ DOCUMENTED CONTRIBUTION. Existing road project, with genuine later advocacy for affected residents.
54. South Gippsland Highway, Lynbrook Boulevard to Dandenong Bypass
The corridor received $12.63 million in the 2020–21 State Budget. Gary welcomed the funding. The public material reviewed did not establish that he secured it before the Budget.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Local and regional road investment; Gary’s pre-funding role not established.
55. Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road intersection
This was a joint State and Federal Government project. Work was already well underway when Gary later raised it in Parliament.
✕ NOT SHOWN TO HAVE SECURED THIS OUTCOME. Government road project; parliamentary follow-up after work began.
56. $600,000 Pound Road resurfacing
This local allocation was announced in the 2026–27 State Budget. Gary referred to discussions with residents about the road’s condition and safety. That may reflect earlier involvement, but the public record reviewed did not establish a clear link between his representations and the funding decision.
? ROLE NEEDS CLARIFICATION. Real local funding. Possible earlier advocacy, but the evidence is not yet clear.
WHAT THE 56 CLAIMS SHOW
The 56 claims do not describe 56 separate projects that Gary personally initiated or secured. They mix statewide policies, regional infrastructure, election commitments, ordinary Government grants, inherited projects, later investments and a smaller number of cases where his own work before a decision can be identified. None of that makes the projects imaginary or unimportant. It means that the label “Local Win” tells us less about individual achievement than it first appears to.
Where Gary deserves credit
Grices Road Recreation Reserve is a clear example. Gary worked with the local soccer club before the funding decision and later said he helped secure the $1.2 million. Strathaird Reserve also shows earlier involvement, although the available evidence comes mainly from his own account. Those two projects involve $2.7 million in State contributions. That is not a claim that Gary delivered only $2.7 million; it identifies the value of two printed projects where earlier advocacy was found.
One of the strongest examples does not appear on the printed list at all. Kambrya College received $18.9 million for an upgrade, and the school itself thanked Gary for advocacy and support over the preceding three years. That independent acknowledgement carries weight. Kambrya and Grices account for $20.1 million in project funding linked to the two strongest examples of earlier advocacy identified here. Including Strathaird brings the figure to $21.6 million, with the qualification about the source of that evidence. These are project values, not amounts that can be attributed solely to one person.
The parliamentary record
A recurring pattern in Gary’s parliamentary questions is to ask how an announced or completed project will benefit the electorate, or when it will be finished. Those are reasonable questions. Keeping residents informed is part of the job. They are not, on their own, evidence that the MP persuaded Government to fund the project in the first place.
It would also be wrong to conclude that Gary did nothing simply because some of his work is not visible in Hansard. He represented constituents, supported local organisations, pursued gambling harm issues, engaged on women’s health and multicultural matters, and advocated for residents affected by O’Shea Road. Government also publicly credited him with helping deliver some major projects. Those contributions belong in any fair account of his eight years.
THE SAFE-SEAT QUESTION
The wider issue is not whether Narre Warren South received Government investment. It did. The question is whether its political position gave the community enough leverage over the people representing it. Gary served as a Government MP in a seat Labor could reasonably expect to hold. There was little pressure on either major party to compete seriously for every vote.
No one can prove what would have happened if Narre Warren South had been marginal. It is still reasonable to ask whether more Ministers would have visited, whether more local projects would have been fought for, and whether both major parties would have offered stronger commitments if the seat had been closely contested.
A competitive electorate forces parties to listen, explain their decisions and defend their record. A safe electorate risks becoming a result assumed before the campaign even starts. Narre Warren South should not be a guaranteed number for Labor, the Liberals or an Independent.
One term, then judge the result
The proposal for change is not to make Narre Warren South Independent forever. It is to give change one term, make Labor earn the seat back, make the Liberals compete, and then judge the local Member by exactly the same standard. What was promised? What was delivered? What was inherited? What would have happened anyway? What did the Member actually fight for before Government made its decision?
If the result is not good enough after one term, vote them out. That is accountability.
The question that remains
Gary Maas chose 56 Local Wins to represent his record after almost eight years. Some were genuine local investments. Some show genuine advocacy. Many were statewide policies, election commitments, regional projects or work already funded before he became MP. The community is entitled to know the difference.
What did Narre Warren South receive because Gary Maas was its Member, rather than simply because a Labor Government was in office? And if the electorate continues to be treated as a guaranteed result, what reason does any political party have to offer more?
One term. Judge the result. If it is not good enough, vote them out.
ABOUT THIS REVIEW AND THE EVIDENCE
This review is limited to the 56 claims Gary Maas chose to print in the Spring 2026 Community Matters flyer, rather than the longer list on his website. The claims are presented in the same order as the printed flyer.
It draws on State Budgets, project histories, Government and Council announcements, parliamentary proceedings, agency records, school and club material, and publicly documented advocacy. Dates matter: asking a Minister about a completed project is different from pressing for it before funding was approved.
The coloured markers assess the evidence for Gary’s individual contribution to the specific claimed outcome. They do not judge whether a project was useful, whether he supported it, or whether he carried out other constituency work. A red cross means that the evidence reviewed does not demonstrate that he personally secured the outcome. It cannot prove that no private lobbying occurred. A green tick indicates an identifiable contribution, which may include advocacy on an existing project rather than securing the original funding. An orange question mark indicates that some involvement or official attribution exists but the available record does not clearly establish its extent.
No public review can uncover every meeting, telephone call, email or private conversation with a Minister. Where evidence from the time establishes earlier advocacy or changes the understanding of a project, the relevant finding should be corrected. The same test should apply to any future MP.
A separate source and evidence register has been maintained to support the review. Readers should check the original documents and are welcome to identify any missing evidence.