Media Releases

Once a year Parliament House in Melbourne opens its door to the general public and local Member, Peter Walsh, invites residents of the Swan Hill electorate to make the most of the opportunity and visit this historic building.

“Parliament House Open Day provides an opportunity to see inside this notable building, which is renowned as one of Melbourne’s best-known landmarks,” Mr Walsh said.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the building, followed by a stroll through the magnificent Parliamentary Gardens where this year there will be musical entertainment.

The Open Day attracts in excess of 4,000 people, who visit the Parliament and areas not usually open to the general public.

“The Open Day is a unique opportunity to see inside the historic building, walk the corridors of power and view the celebrated chambers of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council,” Mr Walsh said.

“It is also an opportunity for people to see where their elected representatives work and to learn more about the Parliamentary process.

“Visitors will also have a chance to learn about agencies who work closely with the Parliament such as the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Public Records Office.”

Parliament House Open Day is on March 21, 2010.

For further information visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au.

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Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, spent last weekend taking part in the Murray Meander which raises funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Otis Foundation which provides retreats for women with breast cancer.

Mr Walsh joined other Nationals Members for part of the week long ‘tinnie’ trip from the Port of Echuca to Mildura.

“The Murray Meander has been running since 2006 and has become an enormously popular event,” Mr Walsh said

“It not only raises funds for two extremely worthwhile causes but provides an opportunity for participants to work together for a common cause.

“The Nationals team has been working hard to secure sponsorship and to raise funds for the event,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to rejoining the Meander on Friday morning at Robinvale after spending this week in Parliament,” Mr Walsh said.

The 2010 Murray Meander which is conducted under the auspices of Echuca’s Horizon Committee began on Saturday February 20 and finishes on Sunday February 28.

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Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is advising not-for-profit organisations that the Small Grants for Rural Communities Program is once again being offered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR). 

“The small grants program for small rural Australian communities will offer about $900,000 in grants to benefit people in rural and remote communities during 2010,” Mr Walsh said.

“The grants of up to $5,000 are on offer to small rural & regional not-for-profit organisations that have projects and activities that aid the sustainability of their community.

“Applications from communities with a population of 10,000 or less will receive priority.”

Currently, applications that support the following areas of interest will be given preference:

-   Community Infrastructure

-   Community Development involving Disadvantaged Children or Young People

-   Resettlement of Immigrants in rural Australia

-   Drought affected areas (Exceptional Circumstances Declared)

There are two rounds of Small Grants. Closing dates are 29 March and 30 September 2010.

“This round of FRRR funding focuses on small communities, and I encourage the many small communities in our Electorate to apply,” Mr Walsh said.

Application forms, guidelines and further information can be obtained from the FRRR website http://www.frrr.org.au, freecall 1800 170 020 or contact Mr Walsh’s office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

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Coliban Water customers are facing massive price rises as a result of the Brumby Government’s failure to manage the state’s water resources.

Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said Coliban had applied to the Essential Service Commission (ESC) seeking permission to increase the price of water by an additional 50 per cent on top of the price rise already approved by the ESC for next season.

"This application is a direct result of the Brumby Government’s mismanagement of water and the pressure it has placed on water authorities to toe the government line on water policy," Mr Walsh said.

"Once again it will be Coliban Water customers who will bear the brunt of the government’s failure to adequately manage the state’s water supplies.

"Under a new pricing proposal, families in the towns of Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton using 170 kilolitres of water will have an annual price increase of about $91, compared to the increase of $60 set to take effect on July 1 this year.

"These changes mean that in about three years’ time, most Coliban customers in Bendigo will be paying almost $950 a year for water, while Echuca customers will be paying about $800 a year.

"The price increases will hit those who can least afford it, including families, pensioners and those on low incomes."

Mr Walsh said he was now concerned other water authorities would follow Coliban’s lead.

"Last November, a Victorian Auditor-General’s report found the water industry’s net profits had dipped by $197 million – or 44 per cent – In 2008-09, with many plunging further into debt to fund infrastructure works," Mr Walsh said.

"The report found 7 of the 13 urban water authorities, including Coliban Water, were running at a loss and had a high risk of short-term or immediate financial sustainability concerns.

"These water authorities are now turning to their customers to recoup the massive losses they have accumulated."

Mr Walsh said Coliban Water would submit its proposed changes to the ESC on March 10 and hold community meetings to discuss the price rise.

"It is essential Coliban customers take the opportunity to attend the community information sessions so they can voice their concerns directly to the authority," Mr Walsh said.

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Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has congratulated the Calder Highway Improvement Committee, which comprises 9 Councils covering the length of the highway, on identifying the Calder Alternative Highway intersection at Ravenswood as its highest priority for urgent development works.

“This is an intersection which has a proven record of accidents and near misses with another fatal accident last year,” Mr Walsh said.

“The issue was again raised in Parliament last year when the Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas, was asked to request VicRoads to carry out a review of the intersection.

“Unfortunately, that request has obviously fallen on deaf ears as there has been no response from the Minister.

“Traffic at the intersection continues to grow with more and more large, commercial vehicles accessing the Calder Highway at what is clearly a dangerous and unsuitable road junction.

“I urge the Calder Highway Improvement Committee to maintain the pressure on the Minister and VicRoads as I will be in Parliament,” Mr Walsh said.

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The Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has called for applications for round one of the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s 2010-2011 Festivals and Events funding program.

“The festivals and events funding program is encouraging local organisations planning multicultural festivals, conferences or events between July 2010 and January 2011, to consider applying for funding,” Mr Walsh said. 

“The program is designed to encourage the participation of the whole community in celebrating and valuing cultural diversity.”

Mr Walsh said competition for funding is strong, with a 7% increase in funding applications for round one grants in 2009/10 and 473 successful applications receiving an average grant of $500.

“We have a very diverse, multi-cultural population within the Swan Hill electorate and this is a great opportunity for these groups to project themselves and their cultural heritage to the wider community,” he said.

Successful projects should generally be inclusive of the whole community and demonstrate our rich, multicultural heritage, such as national day celebrations incorporating food and music, dance or cultural performances; or events providing opportunities for newly arrived refugee communities and isolated migrant communities to develop relationships with each other and the more established communities.

Non-profit organisations, schools and council bodies are eligible for funding.

Applications close 12th March and guidelines and application forms are available from the Victorian Multicultural Commission on www.multicultural.vic.gov.au, or phone 1300 366 356. 

Application forms are also available from Mr Walsh’s electorate office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

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The Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is advising community sporting groups and recreational organisations that funding applications for round two through the ‘2010 Country Action Grant Scheme’ are now open.

Mr Walsh said this round of funding is available for projects between 1 July to 31 December 2010.

Types of projects to be funded are:

A) Initiatives to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of organisations, including:                   Preparation of business plan

                   Development and policy and procedure manuals

                   Development of a club organisation website

                   Establishment of a new organisation.

B) Initiatives to improve the skills of club members through providing training for coaches and officials, administration staff and management committee members (not for training courses to enhance the physical skills of participants), including:

                   Participation in courses (coaching or umpire accreditation, first aid etc)

                   Workshops for administrators and committee members in financial management, governance and information technology.

C) Initiatives to increase community participation by providing accessible sport and active recreation opportunities. Priorities will be given to projects involving people with a disability, women, indigenous people, school aged children, culturally and linguistically diverse people and older adults, including:

                   Promotional materials such as Koori-specific club information fliers or information in other languages

                   Partnerships between local sports clubs and health centres or Access for All Abilities providers to offer programs to people of all abilities.

                   Morning sessions of sport or active recreation activity for older adults or young mothers

Applications need to be lodged by 1 March with more information available online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or by phoning the DPCD grants information line on 1300 366 356.

Application forms are available from Peter Walsh’s electorate office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

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Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is encouraging those who regularly use the internet to access the two online petitions that the Coalition have set up in protest at the Brumby Government’s arrogant and poorly thought out actions in relation to the funding cuts for the popular Rock Eisteddfod and the exorbitant increases to Liquor Licence fees.

“These two online petitions provide outraged community members the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Brumby Government’s actions,” Mr Walsh said.

“To protest at the slashing of funding for the Rock Eisteddfod access the petition at www.savetherocka.com.au and to express your concerns regarding the effect the new Liquor Licensing fees will have on your organisation or club go to www.saveourpub.com.au.

“The Brumby Government are refusing to acknowledge the outrage in the community over these issues and it is up to all of us to register our dissatisfaction and disgust,” Mr Walsh said.

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‘In some instances the area supervisor/loss management officers may adjust figures where the original input is considered inaccurate. No record of these adjustments is recorded.’

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