Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull is pleased to share the Liberal and Nationals real solutions towards tackling the power crisis and cost of living challenges, facing Victorians in the coming years.

“The Liberals and Nationals have a swathe of innovative sustainable and environmental policies to support the reduction of emissions and transition towards cleaner and greener energy sources, should we successfully be elected to form Government this November,” said Mr Bull.

“At the top of the list we have committed to legislate a 50% emission target by 2030 which will support the existing Victorian legislated commitment of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Our Power to the People package includes up to $4,400 of solar rebates for one million households to encourage the take up the solar. This includes a rebate of $1,400 towards the installation of solar panel in addition to providing a $3,000 subsidy towards the cost of a home battery.

“We will also add solar panels across public infrastructure, leading with government schools, which I know is high on the priority list for a number of schools in Gippsland East.

“Our Fixing Victoria’s Grid initiative will unlock renewable energy by upgrading transmission infrastructure in Western Victoria, reserving new natural gas resources for domestic use while maintaining the ban on fracking, and legislate a local gas guarantee for a new supply.

“Natural gas is a reliable energy source for Victorians and this plan reserves continued supply for domestic use while putting downward pressure on energy prices.

“We have also committed to partner with industry to develop a plan to modernise our transmission system to ensure renewable supplies can be fed into the grid.

“A $1 billion Victorian Hydrogen Strategy will also be established, which will support research, development and adoption of clean hydrogen technologies.

“Our Zero to landfill policy transforms waste management in Victoria by committing to zero household waste to landfill by 2035. In a four step plan the Liberals and Nationals will:

1. Work with industry and councils to achieve a:
• 33% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2025;
• 66% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2030; and
• 100% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2035

2. Commit $120 million (over four years) from the Sustainability Fund to create a
Zero to Landfill Fund with two streams:

• A ‘Recycling Futures Stream’ to upgrade recycling technology, standards, rules and facilities and partner with local councils; and
• An ‘Energy-from-Waste Stream’ to deliver projects that recover energy from non-recyclable waste.

3. Commit State Government departments to work with industry to expedite approvals to get Victoria’s waste management and recycling back on track as quickly as possible.

4. Require State Government agencies (such as Parks Victoria and the Victorian School Building Authority) to prioritise fully recycled plastic products as part of their purchasing policies.

“Adopting a waste to energy resource will divert waste from Victorian landfill sites, incorporating cutting edge energy from-waste facilities commonly used across Europe. There is an appetite for this technology in Australia and become a clean, green baseload energy supply without the constraints of solar and wind generation.

“The Zero to Landfill policy will also incentivise our recycling industry to develop new and upgraded facilities, support the research, development and commercialisation of innovative technologies.

“We will also introduce a new cash for containers program for recyclable drink containers, and modernise recycling standards and rules and importantly divert additional waste from landfill, and produce materials with higher levels of purity for use by local industry.

“Providing real solutions for cheaper and greener transport for Victorians, a Liberal and Nationals Government will pause the current Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax and establish 600 new charging stations across the state as part of our Long-Term Economic Plan for Victoria which will save EV and hydrogen vehicle drivers between $300- $380 per year.

“By increasing the availability of charging stations, we will remove one of the barriers that stop people from buying an electric vehicle, unlocking the hip-pocket savings and emissions reductions and helping them hit the road and boost domestic travel.

“To encourage Victorians to utilise public transport options where possible and make travel more accessible, the Liberal and Nationals have committed to halving V/Line travel fares and introduce a flat fare of $2 (and $1 for concession) on local buses and city trams and trains for the next four years,” Mr Bull said.

The Nationals have announced they will partner with local councils to maintain regional boat ramps if elected in November.

Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said this was a positive move that had been well received by both Wellington and East Gippsland Shires.

“The 5 million Regional Councils Boat Ramp Fund will provide matched grants to regional shires for local boat ramp maintenance.

“Labor is funding all boat ramp maintenance for councils around Port Phillip Bay by paying them direct subsidies, but in a blatant display of how citycentric they are, are ignoring country local government agencies.

“For example, it is subsidising Frankston and Hobson’s Bay councils in excess of $100,000 annually for maintenance of their ramps and car parks, but Wellington and East Gippsland, which have close to 40 ramps between them, get nothing – how is that fair?

“There is hardly a period when at least one ramp does not need some form of repair, whether that be the car park, jetty rails or something else.

“This dedicated fund will assist councils in maintaining this important tourism infrastructure,” he said.

The Nationals will also ensure 100 percent of marine, boating and fishing licence fees is hypothecated to improve facilities and the health of our waterways.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the Nationals in Government will partner with local councils to maintain their boat ramps.

Friday, 11 November 2022

With young families continually battling increased cost of living pressures, they will benefit from a range of policies released by the Nationals.

Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said the common feedback from young families was the rising costs of food, utility bills and household items and it was causing tough decisions to be made.

“One cost some families are forced to forego due to the rising cost of living, is paying for thier children’s sporting activities. We certainly don't want the costs associated with participation to become a barrier to kids having fun and staying active.

“I am a strong believer that participation in sport is important to our youth, putting them around good role models and giving them some good life lessons like losing graciously and winning humbly.

“Our Keeping Kids Moving Program will offer up to one million participants $200 vouchers to support children to participate in a variety of sports, dance, scouts or other active organised recreation.

“It’s a program that will make a big difference and we will work with state sporting associations to ensure they go to the families in need,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said other costs of living policies included:

• Half-price travel on V/Line services and $2 fares on local public transport. This means a return trip to Melbourne will be under $40 instead of $80.

• Stamp Duty relief to help young people enter the property market for first home buyers, that will help up to 7,000 families and young people to buy their first home with forecast savings of $55,000.

• Providing up to $4,400 of rebates to households made up of a $1,400 rebate for solar panels and $3,000 towards the installation of a home battery.

• The Healthy Lunches Policy will provide free healthy lunches to public school students from Prep to Year 12, alleviating the cost of buying lunches each day.

• Allocation of 32,000 dental vouchers of $500 to allow high priority public dental patients to access private dental services as soon as possible.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, when at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent on the Western Front.
We are forever indebted to those who have served our country – both those who returned and the many who made the ultimate sacrifice.
It is a day when all Victorians should pause, reflect and give thanks.
While the date and time marks the end of the Great War, after the signing of the armistice by the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice from all conflicts.
Services will be held the length and breadth of Victoria and I encourage all to attend but, if unable, take a moment at 11am to recognise those who gave their lives so we could all have the nation we live in today.

Thursday 10 November 2022

Today’s announcement is disappointing for Maffra and the surrounding community.
It marks the end of an era.
Although not completely unexpected, it was less than ideal not to have forewarning of this announcement and I look forward to discussions with Saputo and those affected on what supports they will be providing to the workers who must now find alternate employment.
While these decisions are never good, it is worth noting this has occurred in a period where we have workforce shortages across other sectors and industries that I am hopeful those impacted can transition to.
I am also planning to discuss the future of the site and new industry opportunities with Saputo and agencies like Wellington Shire Council, should I be re-elected later this month.

Wednesday, 9 November 2022

Shaving Point will receive a $1.5 million upgrade if the Liberals and Nationals are successful at the November election.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said Shaving Point was arguably one of the prime parcels of land in the entire region, but had become somewhat of an eye-sore over recent times.

“I grew up in this area and spent a lot of my youth on Shaving Point and while the boat ramp is soon to undergo an upgrade, there is much more that can be done.

“We are committing $1 million to partner with the East Gippsland Shire Council in a $1.5 million upgrade to basically beautify the whole area.

“It is the same toilet block that was there 45 years ago, and it is a disgrace. Our tourists and locals deserve much better and it needs to be replaced.

“Other works will include landscaping of the grassed area, improved visitor picnic areas and some recreational facilities.”
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves said, “we are grateful for any shared investment in this iconic location and will work with the State Government to improve the area.” “This will complement the boat ramp upgrades we have planned at what is a popular facility for local and visiting recreational boaties,” Cr Reeves said.

Caption: Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Cr Arthur Allen at Shaving Point, Metung for today's announcement.

Monday, 7 November 2022