Media Releases

The Brumby Government must take decisive action to save Victoria’s honey bee industry, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said today.
Mr Walsh said the honey industry was being threatened by the invasion of blanket and carpet weed.
“The spread of carpet weed is having a shocking impact on honey production, particularly around Corio and Geelong, while blanket weed is affecting beekeepers in Victoria’s north-east,” Mr Walsh said.
“The pollen produced by these weeds is very attractive to honey bees but the honey it produces is dark, bitter and unsaleable.
“Apiarists around the state will be affected if the rapid spread of these weeds is not brought under control and Australia’s status as an exporter of premium light honey could be downgraded.”
Mr Walsh said the Brumby Government should declare the weeds noxious and immediately develop a control plan.
“The Brumby Government has taken no decisive action to control these weeds, despite the establishment of the Noxious Weed Review Committee in 2004.
“In some areas VicRoads is reportedly planting blanket weed on road verges to control erosion and the weed is rapidly spreading across public and private land.
“Beekeepers raised the issue directly with Agriculture Minister Joe Helper in April but they have been bitterly disappointed by the Minister’s failure to act.
“The apiary industry is in crisis while the Minister dithers and tries to ignore the weeds which are spreading freely across the state.”
Mr Walsh said the Brumby Government failed to appreciate the true value of the honey industry which was vital to the pollination of many crops including almonds, canola and pasture seed.
“The spread of this weed is another blow to the industry which is still recovering from last year’s bushfires and the loss of beekeeping sites under the Brumby Government’s park policies,” Mr Walsh said.
“The apiary industry makes a direct contribution of between $4 billion and $6 billion to agricultural production each year.
“The impacts on agriculture will be enormous if the government doesn’t take immediate and decisive action to address these issues,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has great pleasure in inviting applications for the Victorian Veterans Council 2010 -2011 Grants program
“Grants of up to $50,000 are available to the veteran community to fund a range of welfare support, commemorative and educational initiatives,” Mr Walsh said.
“The grants are provided under the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund and the Victorians Veterans Fund and applicants must detail which fund they are applying for grants from as the criteria are different.
“The ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund supports welfare based programs whilst the Victorians Veterans Fund is available for a range of projects based around commemoration, educational programs and education support for veterans’ dependants.
Applications must be submitted by September 6 either online (the preferred method) at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or by email, fax or mail.
Further information is available from the above website or from Mr Walsh’s office at 274 Campbell St, Swan Hill phone 5032 3154.

Nationals Deputy Leader and Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is looking forward to attending the Speed Mallee Machinery Field Days again on August 4 and 5.
Along with fellow National MPs Hugh Delahunty (Lowan), Peter Crisp (Mildura), Damien Drum (Northern Region) and Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest, Peter is keen to meet with locals and farmers alike over a cup of coffee or to answer questions and discuss issues throughout the two-day event.
“The Mallee Machinery Field Days are an extremely popular event and we’re all looking forward to catching up with people from across the district over the two days at our regular position, Site 25,” Mr Walsh said.
“We have had an excellent start to our season this year and we can look forward with cautious optimism to a good harvest although we will still have to deal with the potential problems we are facing with locusts and mice,” he said.
“The hard-working Speed Field Days Committee is to be congratulated for its tireless work to keep the field days going given the difficult conditions we have experienced in the past few years and I am looking forward to another great event this year.”

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, advises that grants of up to $250,000 are now available under the Heritage Grants for Places and Objects 2010-11 program.
The Heritage Grants for Places and Objects program supports community groups and individuals in their efforts to conserve and manage significant heritage places and objects.
“Our region has a rich historical heritage and it is important to preserve this for the benefit of local communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“I regularly receive enquiries from community groups and individuals who are seeking funding opportunities for heritage projects including the preservation of important collections and records.
The program has $1.2 million available for a range of grants:
1. $20,000 to $250,000 for the repair of heritage places
2. $5,000 to $10,000 for the repair of heritage objects
3. $10,000 to $50,000 for interpretation of heritage places and objects and
4. $5,000 to $10,000 for documentation projects.
Local councils, not-for-profit organisations, committees of management, the National Trust and religious organisations are eligible to apply.
A further program, Heritage Grants for Heritage Studies and Advisory Service, provides grants of up to $120,000 to local councils and authorities responsible for the administration of planning schemes.
Community based organisations undertaking strategic state-wide or regional heritage studies to enable local government to better protect and manage significant heritage places can also apply for funding under the program.
The 2010-11 Heritage Studies and Advisory Service Program has $600,000 available in the following categories:
1. $10,000 to $120,000 for heritage studies, stages one and two
2. $3,000 to $15,000 for heritage studies, stage three and
3. $3,000 to $14,000 for Heritage Advisory Service.
Applications for both programs close on 24 August. Guidelines and application forms are available from www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au ph. 1300 366 356 or Peter Walsh’s office on 5032 3154.

After loudly declaring war on locusts, John Brumby’s bumbling attempts to marshal his troops has shades of Dad’s Army attached to it.
The Premier has taken on the mantle of Field Marshal and is making a great show of leading his troops into battle, despite a total lack of preparation and planning.
When I called for action last October, the government refused to acknowledge locusts were a problem and accused the Liberal Nationals Coalition of ‘scaremongering’.
Seven months later, after the enemy broke through the trenches, the Premier admitted we were being invaded and declared war on the pests.
But farmers, the frontline troops in John Brumby’s ‘war on locusts’, have been left exposed and ill-equipped by the Premier’s backseat bumblers.
The planning and implementation of this so-called war has been a complete disaster.
One day we have Field Marshal Brumby and Sergeant Joe No-Helper telling their troops to buy their own ammunition. (Don’t panic, they’ll reimburse them later – at least for the chemicals they use).
The next they are telling their army to hold fire because they’re not quite sure what kind of ammunition they should purchase.
Field Marshal Brumby and Sergeant Joe No-Helper have again proven themselves incapable of leading the charge.
Chemical manufacturers need farmers to order spray now so the right chemicals can be manufactured. Contrary to what Brumby’s bumblers seem to think, chemicals in the quantities required will not be available at a moment’s notice.
In order to eliminate wastage and unnecessary expense for those on the ground, the government should heed the Coalition’s calls and purchase and distribute the spray we need for this ‘war’ now.
If it doesn’t, the Field Marshal and the Sergeant might find their army planning a mutiny at the November election.

Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is calling on leaders and innovators throughout the electorate to nominate for the DPI Science Awards so emerging and existing talent can be acknowledged and rewarded.
Mr Walsh said the awards promote the central role of science, innovation and the application of new technologies to ensure the future and development of the Victorian economy.
“With specific awards for students, primary producers or those working in collaboration with DPI who are championing an innovative solution to an environmental, social or economic issue affecting Victoria’s primary industries, communities or environment, it is worth having a further look to see if you are eligible.
“You can nominate yourself or you can be nominated by friends or peers.”
The Award categories are:
• The Hugh McKay Future Farming Award
• The Nancy Mills Postgraduate Award
• The Daniel McAlpine DPI Science Award
• The SM Wadham Practice Change Award
Nominations are currently open and close on Monday 23 August. Finalists will be announced in September and the awards ceremony will be held on 5 October 2010.
“If you know a strong leader or an innovator within the science field, or a primary producer or team that can demonstrate practical adoption of environmental solutions, then I strongly encourage you to nominate them for these awards,” said Mr Walsh.
Further information about the awards can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or by contacting Peter Walsh’s office on 5032 3154, or at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

The Brumby Government’s miserly allocation of boating grants is an insult to Victoria’s recreational fishers, Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said today.
Mr Walsh said the $5 million in boating grants allocated by the government amounted to only 25 per cent of the fees collected from boat owners, most of whom were recreational fishers.
“Last year the Brumby Government collected nearly $20 million from boat owners and operators in registration and licence fees,” Mr Walsh said.
“Millions of dollars raised from boat users are being siphoned into the Brumby Government’s coffers when it could instead be used to improve boating infrastructure.
“John Brumby clearly doesn’t care about the boating facilities across the state in desperate need of repair when his government is putting just $5 million back into the industry from this massive tax take on boat owners.
“Many piers, jetties and access roads have deteriorated to the point where it is hard for users to even access them.
“For example, facilities at McLoughlin’s Beach in Gippsland and inadequate boat ramps at Lake Eildon and Barmah are so neglected that they need a major upgrade.
“The Minister cannot claim that improving boating safety is a ‘high priority’ for the Brumby Government when his penny-pinching leaves community groups battling to access a limited amount of funding.”
Mr Walsh said Victoria’s 250,000 licensed boat users deserved a better deal than the miserly penny-pinching on show from John Brumby.
“Recreational fishers have every right to ask the Brumby Government where the other 75 per cent of registration and licence fees is going,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is reminding residents of the danger of being caught in scams that can clean out their bank accounts.
“My office has had a number of reports recently of residents receiving phone calls telling them about over charging of bank fees,” Mr Walsh said.
“They are then asked to give their banking details to this person on the phone so that a refund in the fees can be paid into their account.
“This is a scam!
“I urge anyone who gets such a phone call to immediately hang up. Do not give your details out.
“There are all sorts of unscrupulous people out there who will say anything to get at your money. Be very wary of any offer that sounds too good to be true, because that is probably exactly what it is – too good to be true.
“I have reported this latest scam to the ACCC’s ScamWatch Infocentre, however, anyone else receiving such a scam can also report it by phoning the Infocentre on 1300 795 995.
“The Infocentre is staffed between 8.30 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday or you can visit www.scamwatch.gov.au,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, joined with Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu and Deputy Leader Peter Ryan at the Collingwood Children’s Farm this week to launch the Coalition’s policy of showcasing regional Victoria in Melbourne.
“Every year ‘Country Week’ will see city folk in Melbourne being introduced to the benefits of country living and will focus particularly on regional Victoria’s business, lifestyle and cultural riches,” Mr Walsh said.
“This $2 million commitment is aimed at re-acquainting Melbourne’s population with country Victoria and all the riches that the many regions have to offer.
“Labor has gone out of its way to ignore the great lifestyle and the business and cultural potential that those who live in country Victoria know that we have,
“This annual Expo will highlight the advantages and opportunities that exist beyond Melbourne’s boundaries,” he said.
Whilst at the policy launch at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, Mr Walsh demonstrated his deftness at hand milking a cow to the amazement of the children present.
“The skills that we learnt as kids as we were growing up stay with you for life as does your appreciation of living in the country,” Mr Walsh said.
“This annual Expo will show Melbournians what a great part of the world regional Victoria is,” he said.

Applications for Round 2 of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Grants for 2010 – 2011 have now opened and Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is encouraging community groups to submit their projects for consideration.
“Our region is made up of a very broad multicultural mix and these grants give us the opportunity to celebrate the diverse nature of our community,” Mr Walsh said.
“Events such as National Day celebrations, those that provide opportunities for newly arrived refugee communities or isolated migrant communities to develop relationships with each other and the broader Australian community and the promotion of various cultures are all eligible for funding.
“Our schools are wonderful examples of our multicultural communities and Cultural Diversity Week in March next year is a great opportunity for projects that can be funded under this grants program.
Grant applications close on Friday August 6, 2010 and more information can be obtained by phoning the Grants Information Hotline on 1300 366 356.