Victorian Elections 2006: March 2006

Victorian Elections 2006

It is a difficult decision that the Victorians are to make, as both major party are presenting hot air and spin leaving little choice. The Bracks government has proven they are incapable of power and the liberals have proven this when last in power. And the state debt keeps rising with dictatorial policies by both parties, a difficult time is ahead. Then there is always the Independants who could pull them into gear by holding the balance of power .. It's Your Choice !!

Thursday, March 30, 2006

MELBOURNE LABOR SHOWS CONTEMPT FOR COUNTRY VOTERS

Friday, 17 March 2006

The Bracks Government faces a backlash from country voters, after installing five city-based candidates into winnable country seats for the Upper House at the next state election, according to Leader of The Nationals in the Upper House, Peter Hall.

Mr Hall said that Melbourne Labor's preselection dealings had short-changed country people and had the potential to diminish the voice of country Victorians.

"It is the height of arrogance for the Bracks Government to think it can get away with parachuting Melbourne-based union hacks and suburban MPs into the three rural-based Upper House regions," Mr Hall said.

"To represent the hopes and aspirations of country people you need to live and work outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

"It is typical of how out-of-touch Melbourne Labor ministers have become that they have allowed this deplorable situation to develop."

Mr Hall said The Nationals would mount strong campaigns in the Northern, Eastern and Western regions, with country-based candidates.

"The Nationals are the only party that focuses all of its attentions on the issues of concern for rural and regional Victorians," Mr Hall said.

"It is a matter of common sense. To understand country life, you have to live in the country, and it's a disgrace that Melbourne Labor's Upper House reforms look set to reward some dodgy back-room deals orchestrated by the ALP factions.

"The Nationals have consistently warned that the new Upper House boundaries would have an adverse impact on country Victoria, and this deal is the first time that our fears are being realised."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 mobile 0427 747 066

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Victorian NATIONALS

Letter To The Editor - 21st March 2006

I write in response to the Minister for WorkCover John Lender's false claims that The Nationals have called for 'all government advertising to stop'.

That is simply not the case.

The Nationals have called for an end to government waste.

We have called for an end to the type of self-serving propaganda campaigns that are designed to help Melbourne Labor MPs get re-elected.

We have called for the establishment of genuine guidelines to stop governments of all political persuasions from wasting taxpayers' money on self-promotion.

We have called for an inquiry into the current level of Bracks Government advertising which is predicted to exceed $80 million this financial year.

The Nationals will support advertising, such as the TAC campaigns, which have a defined purpose and are in the community interest.

But we won't support the government's current range of so-called 'world class' health, education and business advertisements featuring the 'Eagle Rock' soundtrack. They amount to a world class waste of taxpayers' money. not to mention the destruction of an Australian music icon!

Peter Ryan Leader of The Nationals

Thursday, March 09, 2006

BRACKS COMMENTS AN INSULT TO COUNTRY VICTORIANS

Premier Steve Bracks has been accused of insulting emergency service volunteers after refusing to consider a plan to provide free vehicle registration to CFA, SES and coast guard members.

Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan said the Premier's response to The Nationals' plan was a slight on all country Victorians.

"The Premier has rejected The Nationals' plan, without due consideration, and insulted all emergency volunteers in the process," Mr Ryan said.

"He is quoted in today's Melbourne media, claiming that country people would join these organisations just to qualify for the $500 exemption on vehicle registration and insurance."

Mr Bracks is reported as saying: "There will be many people in the country who will simply sign up to get that exemption."

"That's an insult to the 63,000 hard working volunteers that our plan is aimed at," Mr Ryan said.

"The whole point is to attract new volunteers and reward those people who are at the front line of our emergency service response."

Mr Ryan has also hit back at the Premier's claims that the plan would require a complex accreditation system.

"Unlike the Labor Government, which specialised in red tape and super-nanny legislation, The Nationals are proposing a common sense plan that would be easy to administer," Mr Ryan said.

"To claim an exemption, volunteers would be able to return a form signed by their brigade captain, unit leader or flotilla commander, indicating that they have been an active member over the past 12 months.

"It's as simple as that.

"We would set the definition of 'active' in consultation with the organisations involved.

"I suggest the Premier have a closer look at our policy, rather than insult country Victorians in this manner."

Archives

The Poll

The poll SOS-NEWS conducted on our subscribers and readers choice pre the Victoria November election has been conducted, the results are as follows.

There was only one vote per computer and Victorians could only be counted in the poll which gave us a challenge. The amount of people voting is correct and as there may have been more than one vote per home computer the figures are a good indication of our subscribers and readers who will be placing an X in the box this November.

Valid poll = 9,777 votes
Independents = 3,235 votes 33%
Liberals = 2,827 votes 29%
Nationals = 1,714 votes 18%
Others = 1,036 votes 10%
Greens = 518 votes 5%
Labor = 447 votes 4%

Informal = 3,090
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Total amount of votes 12,867

SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN REGION
Rita Bentley - Independent

Rita runs a family business (a plastics factory in Moorabbin) with husband David and they have lived in the Southern Metropolitan Region for more than 30 years. They have two teenage children who are still at school, Andrew in year 12 and Suzie in year 10.

As President of the Prospectors & Miners Association of Victoria her involvement in mining is now largely recreational, but she was a full-time, professional gold miner for many years.

She was the founding vice-president (and now secretary) of the Bush Users Group – a coalition of recreational and industry organisations who believe that our public land can be better managed.

A founding board member of the practical, science-based environment group - the Australian Environment Foundation, she did not seek re-election to the AEF board this year, which will allow her to concentrate on issues closer to home.

She is also a member of the Institute of Public Affairs, Timber Communities Australia and the Tooronga Action Group.

Rita has served on a variety of government committees and boards. She is currently a member of the Resource Minister’s Extractive and Mining Industry Advisory Board and the Environment Department’s Public Land Stewardship Stakeholder Reference Group. She was a member of the Environment Department’s Recreation Advisory Group and on the Mining and Environment Advisory Committee. She is well experienced in the stress of dealing with government and the bureaucracy.

Rita is a breast cancer survivor, considering her self to be one of the lucky ones who, despite losing a breast to the disease, is still at least around to talk about it. She is a strong advocate for early screening.

Now a proud Australian, Rita migrated to Australia from the UK with her family in 1965. From a working class background, the family lived in the Flemington high-rise housing commission estate until embracing the Australian dream of buying a family home in Newport, both of Rita’s parents worked to achieve this. Educated in the state school system, Rita then spent 5 years in the public service, working at the Williamstown Naval Dockyard alongside several of her family who were tradesmen in the Dockyard. She has operated a variety of small businesses since then.

Rita is passionate about people and their rightful place in the environment - a practical environmentalist through and through. While acknowledging that the environment needs to be cared for and cherished, she also believes that the economic and recreational needs of people must be considered. The best approach to the environment – as with most things in life - is a sensible balance.

She has seen the negative effects of extreme Green influence on country communities and is determined to stop the same happening in Melbourne. She fears what will happen if the Greens gain the balance of power in the Upper House of Victoria’s Parliament.

Rita brings a wealth of experience in many fields including industry, family, community and environment.

Salvation From Stupidity
Peter Ryan - Nationals Leader

Peter Ryan has shown the Victorian people that there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. His MP's did not vote with Labor on creating the Otways National Park and have shown their solidarity to the Rural communities of Victoria. Coalition with a few independents and preference swapping could contol the major parties dictating legislation as they please and let the people voice be heard for a change

Will A Liberal Dose Do?
Ted Baillieu Opposition Leader

The new kid on the block but a fresh mind may eradicate the old party system and allow the people's voice to be heard over the party room masters - it's Ted's call and it's your vote.

Gallery Of Concern
Steve Bracks Premier

A dictator dedicated to self preservation at any cost - running rampant with your taxes - consider, hospitals, transport, etc, while he is purchasing national parks, etc.

John Thwaites MP

[Labor Environment]
TWITTER is an out of control Labor Party Radical Greenie who has engineered the agenda for the demise of our farmers and has endangered the public by allowing fuel build up on National Parks as we have seen in the recent bushfires the destroyed the environmnet by his mismanagement

Philip Davis

[Liberal Shadow Agriculture]
Crossed the floor to vote with Labor against the Farmers, as did all Liberal MP's but the shadow Agriculture member - party first - farmers - well it's your vote?