Comment Columns
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East Gippslanders a shining light
Over recent weeks, like many of you I am sure, I’ve experienced a range of feelings - from disappointment and anger to relief and pride. It is with disappointment we find ourselves back in stage…
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If it was Melbourne, it’d be fixed
There is a lovely little boardwalk along the Yarra River near Federation Square. If it burnt down, how long do you think it would take to repair? I would think maybe a couple of days,…
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Rural families must be aware of new manslaughter laws
New laws passed by the State Government last week should be of concern to all rural families and are something I believe all farmers should be aware of. They relate to workplace manslaughter and while…
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Be prepared this fire season
This year’s pending bushfire season is extremely concerning in the eastern region. That was the clear message we received at a pre-bushfire season briefing in Traralgon last week provided by the Country Fire Authority, DELWP…
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Auditor General’s report shows Country Victoria short-changed
Almost areas of country Victoria outside the major centres of Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley are being short-changed by this Labor State Government. That is the clear message coming out of a report…
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Secondary College is top election priority
With the upcoming State election, there is one local need within our community that stands out – the Bairnsdale Secondary College – and I want to dedicate my final column to calling on bipartisan support…
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Autism package a game changer for families
One of the driving forces for me in making the decision to stand for State Parliament in 2010 was the lack of disability services in East Gippsland. It gave me great pleasure as Shadow…
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How this government ignores us
This State Government’s continued ignorance of rural and regional Victoria was highlighted in Parliament last sitting week. I participated in the debate and wish to use this column to highlight some of the points…
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A bigger focus on respect in schools
The Liberal Nationals last week announced its school anti-bullying policy, which is based on the successful Alannah & Madelaine Foundation anti-bullying program – and it’s a policy I strongly support to replace the controversial and…
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Hope was a real community effort
The announcement last week that the Hope Restart Centre, a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility, will be built in Bairnsdale, is a great example of what can occur with community backing. This is…
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Time to end the soft touch on crime
One of the most commonly raised complaints in my office of recent times has been the rising crime rate and the State Government’s soft stance on crime. In Parliament hearings last week, Victoria’s top policeman,…
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Premier Dan dropping the ball on police numbers
Much has been said recently in the media on police numbers, or lack thereof as Victoria experiences a massive increase in crime, but unfortunately it remains an area where we are not seeing improvement. State…
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Non-locals making recommendations about East Gippsland is simply not on
I wish to provide comment on a matter that hit the news last week, that being the suggestion by the Labor Government appointed “Citizen Jury” to convert the Gippsland-Melbourne rail line to a Gippsland-Pakenham shuttle,…
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Why the firefighters’ EBA should not be signed
There has been much said and published about the CFA in recent months and the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) that is causing concern amongst many in the community over the hotly debated power of veto…
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Time to actually invest in country roads
People on country roads are being killed at almost four times the rate than those on city roads. Based on a five-year average, Victoria’s rural road network is responsible for 151 deaths per year. I’m…
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Safe Schools program needs changing
There has been considerable discussion over the Safe Schools program and I am supportive of the State Coalition’s announcement last week that it will scrap the program in its current form and replace it with…
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Carols ban answers still being sought
In this column I wish to make some comments around the government’s changes to the singing of Christmas Carols in primary schools and the uncertainty that remains relating to this matter. In the past six…
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We simply don’t need to turn the de-sal on
The State Government this week made the decision to order 50 Gigalitres of water from the desalination plant at a cost of $27 million. Having considered the data in the attached table, I find it…
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Ports lease deal must benefit country Victorians
The Nationals and Liberals are working hard to achieve a good deal for farmers, exporters and all Victorians on the Port of Melbourne lease sale. While we don’t have a deal yet, it appears close.…
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Join me in giving an hour a week
On a recent visit to Bairnsdale, former Chief Commissioner of Police and National Ice Taskforce Chairman, Ken Lay, had a clear message relate to ice use. He said police cannot arrest their way out of…
