Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller is urging communities along the Murray River to focus on the opportunity that has emerged from the recent decision to delay the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Mr Weller, who is chairing the plan’s Victorian Advisory Group told State Parliament today that the delay, while frustrating, would provide more vital time to ensure the authority got the plan right.

He said he appreciated the delay had caused anxiety for affected communities but urged people to focus on the opportunity it presented.

“This plan has enormous ramifications for communities in my electorate and right across the Murray-Darling Basin and the most important thing is that we end up with the right plan, no matter how long that process takes.

“We have already seen the results of the rushed guide to the proposed Basin Plan released in October last year.

“It was completely biased towards environmental needs and took little account of the enormous social and economic ramifications. Had this guide been adopted, it would have been absolutely devastating for our region.”

Mr Weller said the understandable frustration of many within communities across the Murray-Darling Basin stemmed from the fact that they were continually made promises by the Federal Labor Government which were never delivered upon.

He said the government needed to appreciate the enormity of the issue and the process involved, then pick a suitable timeline and stick to it.

“The government’s current practice of making an announcement and then delaying it, is simply adding to the uncertainty and anxiety for Murray-Darling Basin communities.

“Given that we now have until mid-October to complete the proposal, it is paramount that the Federal Government listen very closely and carefully to the people who stand to be most affected.

“Balance is what is desperately required in this plan, as well as a shift away from non-strategic water buybacks, and we in the Victorian Coalition Government will be doing all within our power to ensure that is achieved.”

The Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller has expressed disappointment at the Federal Labor Government’s decision to discontinue funding for the Take A Break Occasional Care program.

In State Parliament today Mr Weller said families right across the electorate were upset by the move and deeply concerned about their future child care options.

He said the cessation of the TAB Occasional Care service would have a detrimental impact on communities right across regional Victoria.

“In recent weeks I have been contacted by parents from Kyabram, Nathalia, Tongala, Barmah and Merrigum who are desperate for this important service to continue in their communities.

“Without it, many families have no other option when it comes to accessing affordable child care.”

Federal funding for the TAB Occasional Care program, originally funded on a 70 per cent Commonwealth and 30 per cent State basis, was discontinued in the May 2010 Budget.

Mr Weller said the decision meant services were due to cease on June 30, 2010, however the then Victorian Government agreed to fund the Federal Government’s share for one year until June 30, 2011 in a one-off commitment.

“Upon its election, the Coalition Government formally requested the Gillard Government to reinstate TAB Occasional Care funding, as the program could not be sustained on State funding alone,” he said.

“Unfortunately the Gillard Government failed to respond to Victoria’s request, and the 2011-12 Federal Budget failed to reinstate the program.

“The Victorian Coalition extended the transition arrangements until 31 December 2011, however the State cannot be expected to take over the Federal Government’s funding responsibility.”

Mr Weller commended the Baillieu-Ryan Coalition Government for committing to reinstate Victoria’s funding share if the Federal Government honoured its responsibility.

He said it was now up to the Gillard Government to come on board and re-instate funding as a matter of urgency to ensure the vital service was retained.

Nationals MP Paul Weller has welcomed last night’s federal budget funding commitment of $12.1 million for the redevelopment of Echuca Regional Health.

 

Mr Weller said the funding came on top of the $40 million committed by the Victorian Coalition Government last week and $13.5 million announced by the state and federal governments in August last year.

 

He said the $65.6 million funding package would enable the entire first stage of the health service’s redevelopment project to be completed.

 

“This is a terrific result for ERH and the Echuca-Moama community as it means this long overdue and critically important health project can proceed without interruption.

 

“The hospital management, board, staff and community supporters have done an outstanding job in campaigning for this funding and should all feel very proud of what they have achieved.”

 

Mr Weller said the hospital’s board and management had worked tirelessly to ensure the detailed planning required by both state and federal governments had been carried out.

 

He said the $65.6 million would fund the cost of redeveloping and expanding Echuca hospital, including a new 24 bed sub-acute ward, a new accident and emergency department, maternity, paediatric, surgical and medical wards, a new pharmacy, new medical records area, new x-ray department and new reception, public cafeteria and entry foyer.

 

“The existing hospital is in a distressing state of health.  Some of the buildings are 120 years old and the emergency department and wards are crumbling and do not meet current standards for expected patient privacy and dignity.

“Hospital staff have done a wonderful job in providing high class health care in such testing conditions and I am sure they are elated that this is all about to change.”

Mr Weller said the redevelopment was one of the most exciting projects to take place in the region in many years.

 

“$65.6 million is a significant amount of money which will produce enormous benefits, not only to the quality of health services and staff morale, but also to the local economy,” he said.

 

“I look forward, along with the entire community, to watching this exciting project unfold and come to fruition.”

Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller has urged families within his electorate to write to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and help end Federal Labor’s massive rip-off of Victorian GST revenue.

 

“Julia Gillard and Federal Labor are short-changing us by $2.5 billion in GST revenue because of a flawed system,” Mr Weller said.

 

“That ought to anger every one of us who depends on basic services which this revenue helps to fund and every government worker dependent on the Budget.

 

“Victoria has been unfairly punished because of a flawed system, and our Budget is now $2.5 billion short at the very time when Victorians have been left with a large number of financial black holes by the former Labor Government.

 

“Every teacher, every police officer and every child protection worker in our region ought to be writing to Julia Gillard and saying, ‘restore those funds’,” Mr Weller said.

 

Families angry about Julia Gillard’s GST rip-off can write to the Prime Minister at:

 

 

PO Locked Bag 14

Werribee VIC 3030

 

or

 

PO Box 6022

Parliament House

  Canberra ACT 2600.