State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has backed calls for a Royal Commission (RC) into corruption on Victorian Government Big Build sites, speaking on the matter in State Parliament.

On Thursday, all non-Labor parties voted to support a motion calling on the Allan Labor Government to implementing a RC into the issue.

“When you have every other party in the Parliament agreeing on a matter like this, it is fairly obvious it needs investigating.

“It is potentially the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the State and the government is refusing any attempt to get to the bottom of the claims by integrity expert Geoffrey Watson SC, who estimated up to $15 billion of taxpayer money may have been lost to corruption,” Mr Bull said.

“Not only that, he said this was a conservative estimate. It is not the Opposition or media making these claims, it is a Senior Counsel and integrity expert.

“Everyone knew there was something inappropriate about the CFMEU’s involvement with the government and the underworld. It has been raised time and time again, but the Premier wants us to believe she knew nothing.

“Her excuse is she referred concerns to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), knowing full well it did not have the powers to investigate - and then refused to give it the powers.

“All we have seen from the Premier and her ministers is deflection, and attacks on both the media when they ask the hard questions and highly-regarded experts like Mr Watson SC and former IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich AM KC,” he said.

“Our successful motion sends a clear message to the government that Victorians support a RC.

“It’s time for the Premier to stop hiding behind weasel words and put the processes in place to get to the bottom of this issue immediately.

“Victorians deserve to know what happened, who was responsible, and how we will get the lost taxpayer money back.”

Monday, 23 February 2026

Local households doing it tough with rising living costs are encouraged to check their eligibility for the Victorian Government’s Power Saving Bonus, which provides a $100 electricity rebate to help ease household pressure.

The program is open now and available until 31 March 2026 for Victorian concession card holders, including those with a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession, or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.

The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the bonus is a simple but valuable support for eligible households.

“Many locals may have already applied since applications opened on 25 August 2025, but those who haven’t are urged to apply as soon as possible,” Mr Bull said.

“I encourage everyone who is eligible to get online and lodge their application. You can also take the time to compare your energy prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

“For anyone who needs a hand with the online application, my office is ready to help you through the process.”

To apply you’ll need your latest electricity bill, concession card, Medicare card or drivers’ licence, and bank details if you would like an EFT deposit of the rebate. A cheque can be mailed instead of direct deposit if this is your preference.

Applications are online via the Victorian Energy Compare website compare.energy.vic.gov.au or pop into my office at 143 Main Street, Bairnsdale for assistance.

Monday, 23 February 2026

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has supported the Minister for Planning’s decision to have the Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project proposal put through a full Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process.
Speaking in State Parliament this week, Mr Bull outlined that he had written to the Minister on two occasions seeking this outcome, having been approached by a number of community members.
“This is the correct pathway to have the right level of scrutiny applied given the first proposal on this site did not pass. Like last time, it will be guided by a Technical Reference Group which will include the major agencies and departments and then be exposed to examination by an independent panel before a recommendation is made to the Minister.
“The EES will give the community a chance to provide input and is the appropriate process.”
Mr Bull said the EES is likely to take up to 18 months.
The determination is now public on the Department’s website, together with the Minister’s Statement of Decision and Reasons for Decision – available here.

Friday, 20 February 2026

The need for a new Buchan Bush Nursing Centre is critical, with the current facility no longer fit for purpose and failing to meet modern healthcare, safety and accessibility standards for a community it has served for more than a century.

Speaking in Parliament, The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, called on the Government to fund construction of the long-promised new centre, warning that delays are placing patients and staff at risk.

“The Buchan Bush Nursing Service is not a luxury. It is a lifeline,” Mr Bull said.

“The existing building is outdated, non-compliant and unsuitable for modern care.”

Mr Bull acknowledged the significant effort of the local community and Bush Nursing Committee of Management, who secured planning funding, purchased a greenfield site and prepared a shovel-ready project.

“This community has done everything asked of them,” Mr Bull said.

“They planned, fundraised and have prepared a project that is ready to build.”

The project requires approximately $6.5 million, yet construction funding has repeatedly been refused by the Allan Labor Government.

“What is the point of providing planning money if there is no intention to fund the build?” Mr Bull said.

“Raising community expectations and then walking away is simply cruel.”

The Department of Health’s own audit identified serious deficiencies in the current facility, including safety risks, lack of disability access and failure to meet contemporary standards.

“Many people who live and have visited Buchan owe their lives to this service,” Mr Bull said.

Monday, 16 February 2026

Victoria’s worsening housing crisis has been further exposed, with concerns raised that the State Labor Government’s much-publicised $5 billion housing commitment is failing to increase overall supply.

Promoted as a major boost to housing stock, evidence suggests many projects are simply replacing decommissioned stock rather than adding new residences.

Gippsland East State MP, Tim Bull, has taken the issue to State Parliament following complaints that four social housing properties in Orbost have been sitting vacant for months. Three of the unoccupied dwellings are designated Aboriginal Housing properties, intended to support the local Indigenous community.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis, yet we have four government-owned houses sitting empty in Orbost as an example – and many more across the region,” Mr Bull said.

“Every social housing property must be utilised, particularly when demand is so high.

“To see a net loss of homes in Orbost is deeply worrying and only intensifies pressure on families already struggling to find accommodation.”

Mr Bull said he had been advised one property would soon be tenanted, which he welcomed. However, two homes require significant refurbishment and will remain vacant until funding is allocated, while another is earmarked to be sold on the private market.

“It is disheartening to see homes damaged to the point of being uninhabitable, left waiting for funding to bring them back into service,” he said.

“Selling off social housing during a housing crisis sends entirely the wrong message.”

Mr Bull has called on the responsible Minister Danny Pearson, to urgently allocate the necessary funds to Aboriginal Housing Victoria and get these homes back in service.

“I implore the Minister to assign funding immediately to repair these properties and return them to service,” he said.

“These homes are critical community assets and must be used to house local families in need.”

Monday, 16 February 2026

A renewed call has been made for the Allan Labor Government to urgently fast-track planning for a redeveloped Bairnsdale Hospital (BRHS) to address critical capacity shortfalls that are already compromising patient safety.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said that in 2022, the BRHS Board completed a comprehensive hospital master plan outlining future development needs.
“However, I have been advised that work was undertaken without an approved Entity Service Plan and therefore did not have the support of the Victorian Health Building Authority.
“Since then, the Department of Health’s Health Planning Unit, in collaboration with BRHS, has completed and endorsed the required Entity Service Plan, clearing a key hurdle to progress planning.
“The plan confirms what the community and frontline staff already know: current demand is exposing serious deficiencies in points of care, particularly in the Emergency Department,” he said.
“Bairnsdale Hospital currently operates with just nine emergency department cubicles and a single resuscitation bay. Modelling shows this is already six cubicles short of what is required to meet current demand, before accounting for future population growth and an ageing community.
“There is an urgent need for additional acute emergency treatment and resuscitation spaces, along with purpose-built clinical areas to ensure safe and timely care,” he said.
Over the recent summer period, the hospital’s emergency and bed-based services regularly operated at or beyond capacity due to the annual tourist influx. This resulted in extended waiting times, ambulance ramping, blocked beds and delays in critical care.
“These pressures are not theoretical - they are happening now,” he said.
“Our community deserves a hospital that can meet demand, not one where patient safety is put at risk because infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.”
The situation is compounded by ongoing infrastructure issues, including a malfunctioning lift that has previously required emergency maternity patients and elderly patients to be transferred via stairs, an unacceptable safety risk.
“I have asked the Minister for Health Infrastructure to expedite the planning process for Bairnsdale Hospital within this financial year as delaying planning only increases the risk of compromised health outcomes for local residents and the many visitors who rely on the service each year.
“Action is needed now to ensure our region has the hospital infrastructure it requires, and deserves,” he said.

Monday, 9 February 2026