East Gippsland Nationals MP, Tim Bull has asked the State Minister for Housing to release the Government’s plans on what it is doing in the short term to address the increasing number of people facing homelessness not only in East Gippsland, but state-wide.

Mr Bull said he was aware of the Government’s investment, titled the Big Housing Build, that will realise around 12,000 homes when completed in four years’ time, but said the reality is that the housing waiting list presently sits at in excess of 64,000 with 36,000 of those being on the priority list.

“Therefore, we need to know what is being done to address the short-term immediate urgency for housing and the increasing numbers of people needing support. As a Parliament, regardless of political party, we should be working together on this.

“I appreciate there’s complexities as the advice is not to create housing clusters, but we need to look at what can be done and review whether decisions of recent times have been effective.

“For example, I am fully aware changes to tenancy laws saw many landlords leave the rental market as, rightly or wrongly, they felt the scales were tipped too far.

“Other discussions can be around improved scope for rental subsidies, increased budget capacity for expanded use of motel accommodation for those in need of short-term emergency accommodation, the allocation of more areas serviced by toilets and showers, fitting out and use of unused buildings or any other measures that may help,” he said.

“However, what we do need to do is work together as, with rising interest rates, gas prices, increased food and petrol costs, the situation is likely to become worse.

“Even a Parliamentary Committee with a short timeframe has the capacity to investigate the situation and offer reasonable solutions and recommendations, reporting back to Parliament within weeks.

“Whatever the outcome, we need to know what the Government has planned to address these matters as it is clear, even through the traffic in my office, more and more people in our communities are facing homelessness due to rising costs of living which they have no control over and cannot afford. Let’s work together as the Parliament should to find ways to improve our response,” he said.

Monday, 6 February 2023

Premier Daniel Andrews should apologise to duck hunters after claiming that rules were not followed on bag limits during last year’s duck season.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said the Premier made the comments last week while stoking the prospect of a ban on duck season and he couldn’t be more wrong.

Mr Bull said the government’s own Game Management Authority had released a 2022 compliance report which showed that just one hunter was found to have exceeded the daily bag limit out of 979 who had been checked across 216 wetlands.

“Duck hunting is a legitimate sustainable past time that is an important part of cultural activity in Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“There is no evidence that duck numbers are in trouble despite the claims of a loud activist minority. After three wet years, there are good numbers Australia-wide and significant breeding activity.

“Duck season is enjoyed by many regional Victorians and brings significant economic benefits to our region as hunters come from across the state to enjoy their past time.

“The fact that the Premier is choosing to mislead Victorians is deeply concerning. He is completely wrong about rules not being followed on bag limits and he should apologise to the law-abiding people who go duck hunting.

“I fully appreciate that there are people who don’t want to see animals consumed or harmed in any way and choose not to eat meat or fish.

“The reality is that for some people, harvesting wild game is simply another means to putting food on the table.

“I support a strongly regulated, ethical and sustainable duck season and the Premier should do so too.”

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Photo Credit: Visit Victoria