Country train travellers in Victoria are being forced to stand for up to four hours despite booking seats, with some describing “cattle class” conditions when services run at reduced capacity.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the problem occurs when a six-carriage train is suddenly cut to three (there are three carriages per set) at the last minute, leaving many without seats and creating unnecessary tension on board.

This usually occurs due to maintenance or safety issues and there is not the rolling stock to cover the removal of a set.

“Elderly residents, people with disabilities, and mothers with babies have been left to stand for the entire four-hour trip on a crammed service between Bairnsdale and Melbourne, while some passengers take seats others have pre-booked,” Mr Bull said.

“Conductors do not have the power to make passengers move from reserved seats, leaving travellers to sort it out themselves. When capacity changes at the last minute, the system is thrown into chaos. Protective Services Officers (PSOs) should be available to ensure that those who need a booked seat actually get one.”

“The Minister’s for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams’ response to my concerns was to say it is ‘safe to stand’ for the entire journey.

“While standing may be tolerable on a short metro trip, forcing families, elderly residents, and commuters to stand for hours is not acceptable.

“One option I would like the Government to consider, is for services when capacity is reduced from six carriages to three, put protective services officers (PSO’s) on those trains to ensure people are doing the right thing.”

Mr Bull has also requested an additional morning coach service to link to the 9.22 am train from Sale, a simple solution to the lack of a mid-morning service, but this request was rejected with no reason provided.

Monday, 29 September 2025

After an exhausting five and a half years, the Thurra River Bridge has finally reopened, restoring access to the campground and surrounding areas that were cut off since the bushfires of 2019-20.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said while locals are relieved the bridge is finally open, there is deep anger and frustration that it has taken more than half a decade for this vital piece of infrastructure to be rebuilt.

“And we must remember the promised rebuild of the Cape Conran cabins and jetties around Mallacoota Inlet have still not been replaced as we head into a sixth year since the fires.

“The delays have been nothing short of a disgrace. For five and a half years, families, tourists and local businesses have been forced to live with lost income.

“The Thurra campground is the second largest in the region, yet it has been locked away because of government inaction and red tape,” Mr Bull said.

The lengthy closure has not only stifled the local tourism economy but also undermined community confidence in the ability of government agencies to deliver recovery projects in a timely manner.

“The fires tore through in early 2020. It should never have taken until late 2025 to restore a single bridge,” he said.

“This is not just about one road crossing, it’s also about accountability. Communities deserve better than five-plus years of excuses.

“Yes, we are pleased it is reopening. But let’s be crystal clear – it should never, ever have taken this long and much still remains to be finished.”

Wednesday, 24 September 2025

The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for gutting youth crime prevention funding while regional communities are grappling with a growing crime wave.

Mr Bull said Labor’s record tells the story, stripping funding for youth crime prevention from almost $13 million annually between 2014 and 2022, to just $541,000 a year over the past three years.

“These cuts come at a time when they are spending $13 million on machete bins, where what we are seeing in places like Bairnsdale, is the only ones being handed in are by rural landholders scared of copping the massive fine if they are found to have one.

“In contrast to Labor’s cuts and complacency, The Nationals have a clear plan to rebuild safety and restore confidence in our communities,” Mr Bull said.

Our $100 million Safer Communities Plan combines tougher laws with smart prevention programs designed to make a real difference across Victoria.

Building on Break Bail, Face Jail, the plan makes sure offenders learn quickly. If you break the law, you will face the consequences.

Key initiatives include:

• Jack’s Law for Victoria – gives police more power to search for and seize knives and other dangerous weapons in public places to keep communities safe.
• Restart – a residential responsibility and discipline program for serious and repeat offenders.
• Youthstart – targeted community interventions to help at-risk young people make better choices.

Mr Bull said the plan focusses on community safety through both enforcement and early intervention.

“Families in East Gippsland and across Victoria deserve to feel safe at home, in their neighbourhoods, and on the streets.

“Our plan ensures offenders face real consequences, while giving young people the guidance they need to stay on the right path.

“Labor has cut prevention programs, ignored weak bail laws, and left communities to handle the fallout.

“The Nationals’ Safer Communities Plan delivers both enforcement and hope because Victorians shouldn’t be left to pay the price for Labor’s failures.”

Monday, 22 September 2025

The State Government has again been asked to end its expensive brumby shooting program in the face of significant cuts to other pest plant and animal control programs.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said at a time when we have wild dogs killing stock, sambar deer numbers out of control, feral pig numbers continuing to increase and blackberry, African lovegrass and English broom spreading rapidly, the government is cutting effort in these areas, but has been silent on its horse shooting program.

“The State recently announced the gutting of Agriculture Victoria’s pest and weed team, a program that was fighting an overwhelming battle against the spread of these pest species.

“These were programs that helped our farming and rural sectors, where a program like the brumby culling does nothing for farmers. The brumbies are not killing stock or invading farmland.

“I find it astonishing that they have cut these jobs, that I would describe as essential services, while being silent on a horse shooting program very few in the electorate support – it is just madness.

“This is a government that said it would not cut front line jobs. I am not sure you could get any more front line than this. These positions should be reinstated.

“Due to the prevailing silence on the brumby shooting program, I asked the Minister in Parliament this week whether it would be discontinued. They have one month to provide an answer.”

Caption: The Nationals’ Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, says the Labor Government should abandon the costly brumby shooting program and instead prioritise effective pest plant and animal management.

Monday, 15 September 2025

The domestic firewood collection season opened this month, but just on two weeks in, there is no firewood to collect in the designated areas.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said government policy and nothing else had led to the firewood shortages.

“To give some idea of the lack of understanding, we have an Environment Minister who recently described firewood as a ‘limited resource’, which as locals know is just a load of rubbish,” Mr Bull said.

“In reality, we have near-record levels of bush fuel building up, which is deeply concerning as we head into another summer.

“You would think any Minister paying attention could see that we have both a firewood shortage and excessive forest debris, and realise that with sensible policy, one problem could help solve the other.

“However, we are left with near-record levels of forest debris and tightly policed collection areas that prevent community members from accessing the firewood they need.

“The Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, amazingly did not envisage when the government closed down the native timber industry, our major supplier of firewood, it would create a shortage.

“Even worse, now that it has become apparent, he has failed to act. Some simple solutions like more collection areas, extended collection seasons and restoration of coupes to firewood contractors would help solve the issue.

“All the while, fuel continues to build up in the bush and the government has completed less than a quarter of the fuel reduction burns recommended by the Royal Commission to keep our communities safe.

“It can only end one way, the same way it did in 2019/20 – with a megafire, there is no other outcome. When it does, the Greens will shout ‘climate change’ from the rafters, but the real reason will be fuel loads as we have not heeded the advice of the Royal Commission or learnt our lessons from five years ago,” he said.

Caption: The Nationals’ State MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, at a designated collection area left empty, highlighting how Labor government policy has led to a firewood shortage despite fuel loads accumulating in the bush.

Monday, 15 September 2025

Videos posted online relating to Omeo District Football Netball League grand final on the weekend have been reported to the AFL for investigation.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said it was entirely appropriate the allegations of racism and disrespectful actions being recorded were fully investigated.

Racism is never acceptable and has no place in our community and I have contacted the AFL to support the investigation, which now must take its course.

The fact we have had an incident reported is disappointing after such a great day of community sport.

Racism stops with us, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure it is never tolerated.

Tuesday 9 September 2025