Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said a damning report by Parliament’s Family and Community Development Committee reveals the supported accommodation system is in crisis and has failed vulnerable Victorians.

Many vulnerable Victorians are inappropriately housed because of John Brumby’s poorly resourced and crisis-driven supported accommodation, according to the report.

North Western Victoria (the Loddon Mallee region) is severely affected by Labor’s inaction.

The region has 57 people identified as in immediate need of disability accommodation who are languishing on the Brumby Government’s waiting list, with over 60 per cent of these people aged over 30 with elderly parents who are increasingly unable to continue full-time care.

The report revealed that the Loddon Mallee region which extends from Bendigo to Mildura had just 25 respite beds available to families with 169 families using facility-based respite.

While the report details extensive failings in the Government’s supported accommodation system, the sense of crisis expressed by families is largely omitted from the report.

“I have met with ageing parents, who fear that their vulnerable adult child will not receive proper care and accommodation when they die,” Mr Walsh said.

“I am disappointed that the despair and desperation which haunts so many families and individuals with a mental illness or disability is not detailed in the committee’s report.

“Families in northern Victoria have dedicated so much of their lives to caring for a family member with a mental illness or disability and the Brumby Government must take action to help them,” he said.

The inquiry, initiated by the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition, exposed a broken system which has left people with mental illness and/or disability suffering on waiting lists or in inappropriate accommodation for years.

“The Family and Community Development Committee found that Victoria needs more supported accommodation beds for people with a disability and/or mental illness.

“The Committee recommends new funding for additional places, particularly in country areas where needs are not being met, and John Brumby must do more to protect and support these vulnerable families,” Mr Walsh said.

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Labor mismanagement over the ‘smart meter’ mess has continued with Minister for Energy Peter Bachelor rushing to announce that he would ask the Australian Energy Regulator to refuse distributor SP AusNet’s request to increase peak summer rates from 8c/kwh to a massive 42c/kwh

Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said the Brumby Labor Government was made aware that electricity costs would soar when the enabling Bill was debated in the Parliament many months ago.

“The Brumby Government refused to acknowledge this was the case and now we have this proposed massive increase in prices by SP AusNet,” Mr Walsh said.

“Why did Minister Batchelor wait until the obvious was staring him in the face before he suddenly decided to act?

“The Brumby Government has caused many Victorians, particularly the elderly, disadvantaged and those on low incomes, unnecessary anxiety,” he said.

“They claim that smart meters will save consumers money. If that’s so, why then are consumers facing such a staggering increase in their electricity bills?

“This is yet another example of Labor mismanagement and it’s families throughout Victoria who will shoulder the additional cost due to the Brumby Government failings.

“Labor wants Victorians to reduce their energy use during peak periods but it’s the elderly and people with a disability who are more likely to be at home during peak times and who may be put themselves at risk by not heating or cooling their homes properly in a bid to reduce energy bills,” Mr Walsh said.

“The price rises have the potential to have a negative impact on pensioners and lower income families who simply cannot afford it.

“This is just the latest in a series of expensive problems plaguing the smart meter project.

“Since 1 January many Victorians without smart meters have had to pay for them through higher electricity bills despite smart meter installation being years off for some,” he said.

“In November 2009 the Auditor-General found that the cost of the project had blown out by $1.5 billion, implementation had been delayed by 12 months and the benefits were overstated while the costs were understated.

“It’s outrageous that Victorian families will be paying in the vicinity of $200 in higher electricity bills each year to pay for the mess,” Mr Walsh said.

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Country liquor licensees, already fuming over massive increases in fees are now seeing red as they learn that Premier John Brumby has pledged to ‘fine tune’ liquor licence laws to ensure that popular inner city Melbourne venue, the Tote, can afford to continue to operate, according to Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh.

“This is political opportunism at its worst,” said Mr Walsh.

“The Tote closed last week citing costs of compliance with liquor licence laws as the cause.

“Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson stood firm stating that strict licensing conditions, including significant security costs, were necessary and would not be reduced for the Tote.

“Then when 2,000 people protested in Spring Street and 20,000 people signed an e-petition calling for the re-opening of the Tote, suddenly Mr Brumby pledged on Melbourne radio station, Triple M, to ‘fine tune’ controversial liquor licence laws to allow the Tote to re-open.

“At the same time Mr Brumby is refusing to be moved by the pleas of hundreds of small country liquor licensees hurt by the massive liquor licence fee hikes.

“Of significance is that the Tote is in a very marginal, inner city seat held by the Labor Party’s Richard Wynne.

“Mr Brumby’s actions confirm what many people have long suspected, that his policies are based on holding onto power regardless of who gets hurt in the process,” Mr Walsh said.

“I again call on Mr Brumby to immediately reduce liquor licence fees for the hundreds of small, minimal risk businesses that have their financial viability put at risk by liquor licence fee hikes of over 400%.”

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Secret details surrounding the Foodbowl Modernisation Project will soon be made public after the Brumby Government reluctantly agreed to release key information.

 Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the release of the business case for irrigation infrastructure upgrades in northern Victoria had been a long time coming.

"The Premier has been dragged kicking and screaming to the negotiating table," Mr Walsh said.

"The government invested a billion dollars of taxpayer’s money on the strength of the business case for the northern Victorian irrigation renewal project – if the plan stacks up John Brumby should have nothing to hide.

"Instead Labor has used every manoeuvre possible to avoid releasing this important public information until now, when faced with a potentially embarrassing VCAT hearing, the Premier has suddenly had a change of heart."

Mr Walsh said Labor’s track record with accountability and transparency involving the taking of water for the north-south pipeline had been appalling.

"Ever since the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition first pursued information in August 2008, Labor has engaged in secrecy and cover-ups, refusing to make details public," Mr Walsh said.

"Without a transparent and publicly available plan, Victorians have every reason not to trust the Brumby Government."

Mr Walsh said the Food Bowl Modernisation Project business case was expected to reveal what work will be undertaken, how much this was estimated to cost, and the water savings that the government expected to achieve.

"The Victorian Coalition is also pursuing the full details of John Brumby’s commitment to the Federal Government in order to secure funding for stage two," Mr Walsh said.

"We have lodged a Freedom of Information request with the Commonwealth seeking details of the commitments the Brumby Government has given regarding the water savings likely from stage two of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

"We believe Mr Brumby has promised the Commonwealth 100GL of water savings irrespective of the savings actually achieved," Mr Walsh said.

"Premier Brumby objected to the release of this information, which suggests they have something to hide from Victorians. The matter is currently before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal."

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A free, confidential and independent advice service to assist with managing finances, in particular for those Swan Hill Electorate residents who are having difficulty in making ends meet, is now available.

Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said that MoneyHelp, is aimed at helping people get through an uncertain period and to help people look after themselves and manage their debts and bills.

 “The service will assist people who may be struggling with debts as a result of reduced income or redundancy and those having difficulty with coping with credit cards, mortgage repayments or rent,” Mr Walsh said.

The service will provide assistance with prioritising and managing debts, how to approach creditors and ways to manage termination payments.

“MoneyHelp has a Budget Planner as a check list to make sure expenses are not overlooked. It shows people how to plan on a weekly, monthly and annual basis, given the income received, and considering all expenses likely to be encountered.

“The budget shows how long savings will last, and may even enable people to identify areas to reduce spending,” he said.

MoneyHelp is funded by the Consumer Credit Fund and the Victoria Property Fund on the approval of the Minister for Consumer Affairs.

Mr Walsh said MoneyHelp has a website and free phone counselling service that will help in the management of money and debt. The website is: www.moneyhelp.org.au or phone 1800 149 689.

MoneyHelp is not a money lending service. The financial counselling service lines are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm with interpreter services also available.

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It is with a great deal of pride that I congratulate the many communities throughout my electorate on the effort they have taken to organise and celebrate this most important day in our calendar.

We have much to be thankful for, and proud of, about our great nation.

We live in a relatively wealthy and socially inclusive society and we are able to demonstrate this on a daily basis.

This has only come about through the efforts and sacrifices of our forbearers and, as a community, it is appropriate that we take the time to celebrate this.

The fact that we can attend these community celebrations and follow up with traditional BBQs and gatherings with our friends and neighbours, regardless of our cultural heritage, is an example that we can hold up to the rest of the world with justifiable pride.

I urge everyone to display your appreciation of our community and our nation on this Australia Day and to continue to demonstrate this pride throughout the whole year.

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The Brumby Government must release the details of the secret water deal it struck yesterday with the Commonwealth and other Murray Darling Basin states and territories, Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said today.

 Mr Walsh said the Water Management Partnership Agreement, which outlines the terms under which the Commonwealth has agreed to fund state-based water saving projects, was signed behind closed doors.

"Regional Victoria has again been left in the dark by the Brumby Government," Mr Walsh said.

"The future of Victoria’s northern regions relies on water yet the Brumby Government is off signing secret deals so there can be no opposition to its plans.

"This agreement supposedly sets out the terms under which the Commonwealth agreed to fund irrigation infrastructure upgrades in northern Victoria, including the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

"Victorians, particularly food producing communities, have a right to know the exact detail of what the Commonwealth was promised in return for that funding."

Mr Walsh said the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition had lodged a freedom of information request with both the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Commonwealth Government seeking the details of the arrangement.

"The Brumby Government has refused to release the documentation and objected to the release of the documents held by the Commonwealth.

"Premier Brumby has played every trick in the book to prevent the information about the arrangement he has struck from coming out in the public arena.

"We have been led to believe the Brumby Government has guaranteed the Commonwealth the first 100 billion litres from Food Bowl Stage 2, contrary to what the government has been telling irrigators.

"The level of secrecy surrounding these deals is only serving to cement our suspicions that the Brumby Government has sold irrigators down the drain."

Mr Walsh said Premier Brumby promised that any savings to be made from the second round of irrigation upgrades would be split equally between irrigators and the Commonwealth from the very beginning.

"It is incumbent upon Premier John Brumby and Water Minister Tim Holding to release the true details of the deal it has made with the Commonwealth.

"Victorians deserve to know the truth," Mr Walsh said.

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Applications for sporting uniform grants open on January 18 and Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is encouraging all relevant groups to consider submitting applications.

Grants are available for the purchase of sporting uniforms and footwear that are essential for participation in sport including such things as jumpers, shirts, skirts, boots, socks and bathers.

The cost of participation in many sports is getting beyond the means of participants and these uniform grants provide an opportunity for clubs and organisations to reduce this cost.

Grants of up to $1000 are available with the latest round of applications being accepted between January 18 and February 26.

The preferred method of application is online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au however applications can be emailed, faxed or mailed to the Grants Unit.

More information can be found on the grants website or by phoning 1300 366 356.

Hard copies of the applications are also available from Peter Walsh’s office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill or by phoning him on 50323154.

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The Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh has welcomed a Victorian Liberal National Coalition policy to crack down on violent crime and assault.

“Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu announced today that a Coalition Government would scrap suspended sentences and home detention,” Mr Walsh said.

“Crime rates in Victoria have skyrocketed under the Brumby Government.

“The latest official crime statistics show that over the past year alone drug offences have risen by 18 per cent in the Swan Hill Police Service Area,” he said

“Clearly the Brumby Government is out of touch with the needs and expectation of Victorians.

“Labor has gone soft on crime and Victorians are paying the price.”

Mr Walsh said across Victoria between 6000 and 7000 suspended sentences were handed out each year.

“The statistics show the Brumby Government’s soft approach towards crime is not working,” he said.

“About 27.5 per cent of the suspended sentences handed out in Victoria are breached.

“Appallingly, in 37.2 per cent of cases where those orders were breached, offenders were released back into the community without serving any real jail time.

“The Brumby Government’s home detention policy has also failed. Since 2004, 425 prisoners have been released into home detention, many before they have served even a minimum sentence.

“People convicted of armed robbery, aggravated burglary or intentionally and recklessly causing injury are eligible for home detention under Labor’s system.

“It is very difficult for residents in Victoria to have faith in a justice system that is failing to hand out sentences to fit the crimes being committed.

 “The Coalition’s policy will deliver long overdue legislative reform to address crime rates in the Swan Hill electorate and restore honesty to sentencing.”

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The Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is encouraging local residents and community groups in the Swan Hill electorate interested in aspects of Victorian history to apply for the Victorian Community History Awards.

“The awards competition offers diverse award categories which acknowledge that history can be told in many and varied formats.  The first prize is $5000 and the Community History Awards are a great way of preserving our local history,” Mr Walsh said.

There are also six $1000 awards for the finalist in each of the award categories – Best Collaborative/Community Work; Best Print/Publication; Best Audio-Visual/Multimedia; Best Exhibit/Display; Best Walk/Tour; and Best Community Research, Registers and Records.

Mr Walsh said the awards, coordinated by Information Victoria, with assistance from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, encourage innovative ways of recording Victorian community history.

“All Victorians have a story to tell and there is a rich and varied history throughout the Swan Hill electorate which deserves to be preserved,” Mr Walsh said.

“Recent local projects that have received recognition under the awards include the displays Clubhouse by the Swan Hill Genealogical & Historical Society and Putting on the Ritz at the Rex Art Deco Display by the Charlton Community Theatre.”

Entries close on February 26 with the awards to be presented in May.

Guidelines and application forms are available by phoning Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or from my office at 274 Campbell Street Swan Hill.

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