The Allan Labor Government has misled the East Gippsland community after admitting no geotechnical inspection was undertaken on a section of Paynesville Road where serious surface failures have earned it the nickname “the Paynesville rollercoaster” - despite previously claiming on two occasions that works had been completed.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he first raised the issue in 2023, seeking answers on the cause of subsurface movement and surface cracking.

“The Minister responded to my representations on three occasions, twice stating geotechnical inspections had been undertaken to ascertain the underlying causes of the road’s undulation,” Mr Bull said.

“However, after a period of silence and no action, I was astounded to be advised that a geotechnical inspection has not yet been undertaken at this location.”

Mr Bull said the Minister’s latest correspondence confirmed an investigation had only been conducted at a different site.

“Incredibly, the Minister stated a geotechnical investigation was completed in May 2024 closer to the Mitchell River bridge, but it did not extend to the section currently experiencing pavement subsidence,” he said.

“In essence, the Government knew there was a problem where warning signs were installed but chose to conduct testing 200 metres away - not where the issue actually exists.

“This stretch of road, just out of Bairnsdale, has long been subject to reduced speed limits and hazard signage due to severe undulation. Failing to investigate the affected area defies common sense.”

Mr Bull said the latest advice indicated investigations would now occur, with repair works to follow.

“It appears this issue will drag into a third year, but hopefully this time the testing is done in the right location,” he said.

“This would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.”

Monday, 30 March 2026

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called on the State Government to ensure commercial fishers are not overlooked in efforts to secure fuel supply amid ongoing shortages.

Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr Bull said while essential services and farmers were rightly being prioritised, commercial fishers also play a critical role.

“We have rightly seen a focus on maintaining fuel supply for essential services and farmers, but I have not heard Ministers mention our farmers of the ocean - our commercial fishers,” he said.

“They are not only vital food producers, but also underpin the economies of towns across our region, including Lakes Entrance.”

Mr Bull said the industry was already under significant pressure.

“Victoria is already a net importer of seafood, with more than 70 per cent sourced from overseas,” he said.

“We need to support our local industry, which is facing challenges from offshore wind proposals, marine park expansion and fishery closures.”

Mr Bull said restricted fuel access would further damage the sector.

“We cannot afford to add to these pressures. The commercial fishing industry must be considered in any discussions around fuel supply,” he said.

Mr Bull is also seeking short term relief from the Federal Government’s fuel excise to offset the price increases being experienced at the bowser.

“State Government members should also be lobbying their federal counterparts for this outcome,” he said.

Monday, 23 March 2026 

Victorians are less safe than ever before, with new data confirming criminal offending has reached a record high under the Allan Labor Government.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said while local police continue to do an outstanding job, they are being let down by weak laws and a lack of support.

“In East Gippsland, total offences have increased by 13 per cent, including aggravated robbery (13%), residential aggravated burglary (25%) and retail theft (11%). Alarmingly, family violence incidents have risen by 40 per cent,” Mr Bull said.

“Domestic violence is one area where I believe the community can take more ownership and action. We all have a responsibility to ensure that within our friendship and work circles there is a clear message that this is not OK.

“We cannot have anyone turning a blind eye,” he said.

“In other areas police are doing everything they can, but Labor’s soft-on-crime approach and weakened bail laws are not supporting them on the ground.”

Mr Bull said the issue extended across the state.

“Since becoming Premier, Jacinta Allan has overseen around 1,500 police vacancies, more than 40 stations closed or operating on reduced hours, and PSOs removed from 120 train stations,” he said.

“When this was raised in Parliament, the Police Minister chose to respond with one-liners rather than addressing the seriousness of the situation.”

“The reality is that 286,329 crimes remain unsolved - almost half of all recorded offences - representing a 15 per cent increase over the past year.”

Mr Bull also pointed to funding pressures.

“In May 2025, the Government cut almost $50 million from Victoria Police while net debt continues to grow by $1.7 million an hour and is projected to reach $192.6 billion by 2028-29,” he said.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said Labor had created Victoria’s crime crisis.

“Victorians have never felt less safe. We will ensure bail and sentencing laws reflect community expectation - if you commit a crime, you will face consequences,” she said.

Mr Bull said police deserved stronger backing.

“Our police are working hard against the odds — they need proper resourcing and tougher laws that support them to keep the community safe.”

Roadside clearing works in preparation for fuel reduction burns have created huge amounts of timber that could assist with the region’s firewood shortages, and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called for it to be made available closer to the communities that need it before winter hits.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had firewood collection maps distributed that are, in most cases, the same areas as last year, where there is simply no wood available, and we’ve had these works done that could assist in meeting the shortages.”

Mr Bull has called on the Department to implement two initiatives before winter arrives:

• Open new public firewood collection areas that are much larger than those presently on offer and which hold a good supply of wood; and
• Transport the firewood created from the pre-burn clearing work closer to the communities that require it.

“As part of the works, experienced crews engaged through the Forest Fire Management program have felled countless trees, and while some of it has been made available for collection, there are two problems,” Mr Bull said.

“The first is that large quantities are being removed by people who are clearly then on-selling it online, and secondly, it is in many cases a long way from the communities that need it now. For instance, the firewood collection areas around Lakes Entrance have no timber in them at all.

“I am a strong supporter of the fuel reduction burn program and we need to do more to protect our communities, but we should be maximising this timber to meet local need - and that is not being done at present.

“From the fuel reduction preparation works, we have more firewood than these small communities can possibly use this winter, but it’s being taken by those who are illegally selling it, and it is too far away from the population centres.

“Residents in towns like Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Nowa Nowa are being directed to official firewood collection areas where there is little to no wood available.”

Mr Bull said many of the firewood collection maps released by Forest Fire Management for the Lakes Entrance region had been published repeatedly for several years.

“What was once there has been well and truly taken,” he said.

“Locals are telling me they are travelling long distances, spending money on fuel and giving up their time, only to arrive and find there is nothing to collect.

“At a time when households are battling a cost-of-living crisis and a fuel shortage, directing people to areas knowing there is no firewood available is just cruel.”

Mr Bull said the Minister was effectively sending residents on a “wild goose chase”.

“Minister Dimopoulos continues to tell me Victoria does not have an infinite supply of firewood, which is a load of rubbish,” Mr Bull said.

“We have plenty, but his restrictive rules do not allow it to be collected legally. The Minister has a solution to a problem staring him in the face; it just needs some coordination and organisation.

“This timber could easily be transported to central collection points closer to larger communities, with some oversight to ensure it is going to the right people. He could also open up more collection areas with the stroke of a pen.

“Should we win government in November, there will be some big changes coming to firewood collection in this state and for East Gippsland residents,” he said.

Caption: State Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says logs cleared during firebreak works should be moved closer to communities with limited access to firewood, once locals have had the opportunity to collect it.

Monday, 16 March 2026

The Allan Labor Government has disappointingly refused to commit to funding the construction of the new Buchan Bush Nursing Centre, despite providing a planning grant, leaving the project in limbo and the future of the vital rural health service uncertain.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he had been advised by the Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, that the project would only be “considered alongside other health infrastructure priorities” after pushing for a funding guarantee in parliament.

“This response is just cruel and comes from a government that has wasted $15 billion on CFMEU corruption. It is funding pole dancers on building sites, but cannot find money for the Bush Nursing Centre,” Mr Bull said.

“The Buchan Bush Nursing Centre is a lifeline for the community, but the current building is outdated, non-compliant and no longer suitable for delivering modern healthcare services.”

Mr Bull said the community had done everything asked of them by government, securing planning funding, purchasing a greenfield site and preparing a project ready for construction.

“But what is the point of providing planning money if there is no commitment to actually fund the build?” he said.

“Providing planning funding raises expectations that the project will be funded by the government. Without a commitment to construction, it simply leaves the project sitting on the shelf gathering dust.”

The proposed facility is estimated to cost around $6.5 million and would replace the ageing existing centre which no longer meets modern health, safety and accessibility standards.

“The plans have been drawn up, the land is secured and the project is ready. The Allan Labor Government now needs to explain why it will not commit to funding the build,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Tim Bull MP is urging the Allan Labor Government to fund the important rural health service’s rebuild.

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Local patients are waiting more than 18 months for basic dental care, well above the State average of 13.5 months.
The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the real problem with the public system is due to blatant mismanagement.
“When adults finally reach the top of the wait list, they are handed a voucher and told to find a private dentist because the public system can’t help them. Private practices are often unable to complete the work due to booking capacity, or the vouchers having such a short treatment timelines they’re expiring by the time they can complete the work,” Mr Bull said.
“In addition, even where providers are able to see these clients, many are understandably hesitant to do so because State Government voucher payments can take up to eight months to be fully reimbursed. Private practices simply cannot be expected to carry that cost for such an extended period
“This is a failure of the public system.
“Private dentists in East Gippsland do outstanding work and continue to support their communities, but they cannot be expected to carry the public system.
“It is not up to private practices to do the heavy lifting for a system the Labor Government has mismanaged.”
Mr Bull said the Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, has been aware of these issues for years.
“The Minister knows about these issues as I have raised them many times in Parliament. She has simply failed to act,” he said.
“The Government has had years to address workforce shortages and has failed to put any practical strategies in place.”
Labor can’t manage money and can’t manage public dental care in Victoria.

Monday, 2 March 2026