Having announced the intention to introduce a container deposit scheme in Victoria nearly four years ago, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he was pleased it came to fruition last week.
“This was a Liberal and Nationals’ policy announced almost four years ago and, while it has taken Labor longer than hoped to get around to matching it, it is pleasing it has now commenced, despite much confusion,” he said.
“Locally, Tambo Waste has made a significant investment to support the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), which will benefit local business, community clubs, groups, charities and individuals.
“The new technology, which I had the chance to have a look at this week, is incredible,” he said.
Tambo Waste group operations manager, Brad Duncan, said the new equipment sorts each item individually into the correct bin.
“You can bring cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles in here and the machine will count the exact number of containers passing through at a rate of 350 containers per minute. Then you get a receipt, punch it into the machine and you can get your cash directly or donate it to a sporting club or charity.
“Uncrushed cans are preferable for the counting process, but we will also accept crushed cans and plastics. The depots, like ours in McMillan Street Lucknow are preferable to the vending machines, which are unmanned, cannot take flattened containers or dispense cash returns,” Mr Duncan said.
Collection points are located at:
• Tambo Waste - Container Deposit Depot, McMillan Street, Lucknow
• Lakes Entrance - Reverse Vending Machine in Woolworths’ carpark
• Bairnsdale Landfill (Tip Shop) - 200 Johnstons Road, Forge Creek
• Maffra Scout Hall - 8 Johnson Street, Maffra
• Stratford Transfer Station and Recycling Facility - 93 Wyndham Street, Stratford
• Swifts Creek - Albion Hotel
• Omeo - Crazy Cow Café and Bakery - 194 Day Avenue
• Orbost Reverse Vending Machine - 168 Nicholson Street

Mr Bull said there were possibly going to be additional areas in the region, but the government did not have specifics at the time of media.

Monday, 6 November 2023

The Liberals and Nationals have attempted to introduce a bill into State Parliament to stop Labor’s unfair Health Tax, that will at best drive-up appointment prices and at worst close practices.

Recently, the State Revenue Office (SRO) began issuing notices to medical practices classifying tenanted doctors (general practitioners), dentists, physiotherapists and other allied health practitioners as employees (rather than contractors), for the purposes of obtaining increased payroll tax.

It has been described by Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) as the “biggest existential threat to general practice” in Victoria.

“To make matters worse, in many cases, Labor is backdating the tax owed by up to five years, resulting in bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull.

“It is yet another case of the broke government running out of money through mismanagement and then coming after more of yours.

“This tax will ultimately flow through to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients and will mean fewer bulk billing clinics operating in Victoria, with patients having to travel further for care, or resort to seeking medical attention at already-stretched Emergency Departments.

“Victorians will be left either without vital primary healthcare services, or increased costs, if the Allan Government doesn’t withdraw it.

“Labor arrogantly refuses to listen to warnings from GPs and other health professionals as it presses ahead with its unfair tax. It will have huge ramifications for Victoria’s struggling health system.

“Victorians shouldn’t have to suffer because the Labor Government can’t manage its budget,” he said.

Monday, 6 November 2023

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has lashed the Labor Government after confirmation this week that 43 Victorian police stations - including Lakes Entrance - will reduce their front counter services.
“Our local police do a fantastic job and have the best interests of our community at heart, but this is a step in the wrong direction, especially at a station where the town’s population grows from 5,000 to 25,000 over the holiday period, yet we are told that by the end of this month opening hours will be reduced.
“I would expect we will get some additional police over the New Year period, but in past years they are gone by the first week of January and the massive holiday crowds are around for the full month.
“East Gippslanders know how busy Lakes Entrance gets over the holiday period and at a time when we need a significantly increased police presence and more accessibility at the station, this government cuts it.
“It just goes to show how little idea they have when it comes to country Victoria. I know we have some Ministers planning to holiday in the Lakes Entrance area this Christmas, so I hope they don’t have a need to seek an urgent interaction with the police at the local station.
“Then again, it just might take that for them to realise,” said Mr Bull.
Shadow Police Minister, Brad Battin, said only weeks ago Police Minister Anthony Carbines stated there were no staffing problems across Victoria Police.
“Yet, Victoria Police confirmed police counter services will be cut at 43 stations, but it is little wonder with 319 fewer serving officers now compared to 12 months ago, and spending on recruitment advertising is down 20 per cent compared to the year prior.
“This is what has led to opening hours being reduced.
“Victorian communities are being punished for Labor’s incompetence and these frontline service cuts are the results of Labor’s failure to invest in our police services and will result in poorer community safety outcomes,” he said.

Monday, 6 November 2023