Gippslanders will be able to better access State Parliament sittings in the next term of government, should the Liberal Nationals win the November election.

Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said the Gippsland region would play host to one sitting of Parliament within the next four years, as part of the Liberal-Nationals’ plan to get metropolitan MPs out of the city and into country Victoria.

“This will be a great opportunity for all Gippslanders to view the on goings of Victoria’s legislative processes, without the need to travel all the way to Melbourne,” Mr Bull said.

“Regional Parliament is a unique opportunity for our school students and their families, community groups and business owners to learn about Victoria’s democratic process.

“The last session was held in 2012 under the previous term of the Liberal Nationals, however it has not been supported by the Andrews Labor Government, which scrapped the successful program since coming to office, despite being on the record supporting the program while it was in place,” Mr Bull said.

Along with the Gippsland region, Mildura, Shepparton and Warrnambool will also host parliamentarians from one chamber – either the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council – for one sitting week each.

Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, said country Victoria’s problems could not fixed from behind a desk in Spring Street.

“Labor scrapped Regional Parliament, the Liberal Nationals will bring it back,” Mr Guy said.

Thursday, February 8, 2018