Media Releases

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh has called on the Planning Minister to immediately amend regulations banning helicopters from landing on farming land.
Mr Walsh warned Victoria’s response to the coming locust plague could be severely hampered by planning regulations which require farmers to obtain a permit if they wish to land a helicopter in a farming zone.
“John Brumby is full of talk about Labor’s war on locusts, but he is strangling the agricultural industry with red tape and impractical planning regulations,” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor has changed Victoria’s state planning scheme, effectively banning helicopters from landing anywhere in farming-zoned land without a permit, except in the case of an emergency.
“With locust eggs due to hatch across Victoria in coming weeks, these regulations could drastically reduce the ability of our farmers to control the expected plague.
“The Brumby Government says it has helicopters on standby to undertake surveillance and spraying of locusts. It must amend the planning scheme to make the rules the same for the state’s farmers.”
Mr Walsh said the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition, the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia had all separately raised the matter with the Planning Minister, yet no action had been taken.
“Labor’s helicopter ban is bureaucracy and red tape at its worst and the Minister must immediately take the necessary steps to allow helicopters to operate in farming zones for agricultural and firefighting purposes without the need for a permit.”
Mr Walsh said helicopters were integral to many larger farming enterprises.
“Farmers, particularly in western Victoria, have been using helicopters for more than a decade to spray, spread fertiliser, monitor livestock and transport people between properties.
“This work requires helicopters to take off and land in the safest and most practical location, rather than on a designated helipad.
“These senseless regulations are further proof that John Brumby has completely lost touch with the needs of Victoria’s farmers,” Mr Walsh said.

HELICOPTER REVIEW WASTES MORE TIME WHILE LOCUSTS THREATEN CROPS
John Brumby and his ministers are putting Victorian farmers at risk by needlessly delaying amendments to regulations banning helicopters from landing in a farming zone.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh today criticised the Brumby Government for announcing a review, when it is action that is needed to help farmers.
“After public pressure the Planning Minister has announced a review of the regulations which prevent helicopters from landing or taking off in a farming zone without a permit,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is just more talk from Labor when what is needed is action to help farmers.
“The Minister should just admit he made a mistake and get on with the job of fixing these regulations.”
Mr Walsh said Labor’s delays could jeopardise the state’s response to the impending locust plague.
“Farmers need these regulations changed now so that they can spray locusts when they hatch,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Planning Minister is stalling this decision unnecessarily while the Agriculture Minister Joe No-Helper is again invisible.
“It is ridiculous to suggest that landholders should simply obtain an ancillary land use permit every time they need to employ the services of a helicopter operator.”
Mr Walsh said John Brumby and his ministers had lost touch with the needs of Victorian farmers.
“Despite their incompetence, surely John Brumby’s ministers are able to see sense and amend these ridiculous regulations immediately,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is confident further progress will be made on the elimination of border anomalies such as reciprocal fishing licences when the Victoria-New South Wales Cross Border Consultation Forum meets in Swan Hill this Friday, September 3.
Hosted by the Victorian and NSW Departments’ of Premier and Cabinet, Mayors and State Members of Parliament for border electorates and Victorian and NSW Government representatives will be attending this meeting.
“One of the many issues I will be canvassing will be that of recreational fishing licences and I am very confident that some resolution will finally be achieved,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is ludicrous that people living along the border between Victoria and New South Wales still require a NSW licence to fish in the Murray River and a Victorian licence if they move into one of the Victorian tributaries and offshoots such as the Loddon and the Little Murray,” he said.
“This is an issue which was to have been resolved with the introduction of reciprocal licences in early 2009 and it is disappointing that the Victorian and New South Wales Primary Industries Departments have still not reached an agreement.
“I’m advised continuing leadership changes in the NSW Premier’s office is a reason for the delay, but with Kristina Keneally in office since December 2009, there has surely been sufficient time to act on this matter.
“Victoria offered reciprocal licences back in the 1980s but the offer fell through when the NSW Government sought compensation for any loss of revenue.
“Border anomalies are a cause of enormous frustration to people living along the Victorian –NSW border with many businesses continually being confronted with unnecessary red tape and restrictions,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Cross Border Issues Forum was established in July 2006, and has met annually since then to look at identifying and rectifying the massive range of anomalies that exist.
“I am very hopeful that this week’s meeting will go a long way to overcoming many of these anomalies,” he said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has welcomed the decision by the Brumby Government to finally accept a major recommendation from the Bushfire Royal Commission to introduce a much fairer system of funding Victoria’s fire services.
“The Coalition has been advocating an equitable system of funding the fire and emergency services but Premier Brumby has long been in denial,” Mr Walsh said.
“The catalyst for his about-face has been the Bushfires Royal Commission and the upcoming State election.
“The Bushfire Royal Commission’s major recommendation to drop the Fire Services Levy on insurance policies on property and replace it with a charge on all property, with a concession for low-income earners, is a far more equitable system.
“The new system will be much fairer and echoes the long standing call by the Coalition, the Insurance industry, farming and other business groups,” he said.
“Premier Brumby has continually rejected this call stating that the current model was the best way to fund Victoria’s fire services even to the extent of stating in the Parliament in August 2009 that the Coalition policy for a property based levy was a poll tax, and he thought it was a disgraceful policy.
“The new model will replace the inequitable existing one where country businesses find that for every $100 of their insurance premium, they pay an additional $123 for the fire services levy, GST and stamp duty, more than doubling the cost of their insurance.
“This about-face is just another example of John Brumby adopting sensible Coalition Policy and demonstrates the disarray of the Labor Government and its own lack of real policy,” Mr Walsh said.

The Brumby Government is more focused on self promotion and media spin than on real action to control the impending locust disaster facing Victoria, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said.
“John Brumby has ignored expert advice to ensure sufficient chemical supply is available to control locusts in spring and instead has embarked on a shameless $2 million self-promoting advertising campaign to tell farmers about a threat they already know of,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Premier is more interested in taxpayer funded self-promotion than controlling the impending locust threat.
“This $2 million would be far better spent on chemicals and biological products for those on the ground who will be trying to protect the state from this impending plague.
“John Brumby must confirm to Victorian farmers whether this advertising money has been stripped from the $43.5 million allocated to fighting the locusts.”
Mr Walsh said the supply of some locust control products to fight the threat was extremely limited.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition warned John Brumby months ago of this impending disaster, but his response has been delayed and inadequate and now we are seeing shameless self-promotion while the supply of control products to fight the risk runs dangerously low,” Mr Walsh said.
“The only control product that can be used by organic food producers has primarily sold out and no new stock of Green Guard will be available until mid to late October.
“This has left many organic producers desperate for a product suitable for their properties.
“The government is talking tough that farmers will be prosecuted if they don’t spray locust hatchings, but many organic producers are finding that they can only access spray that will, in effect, destroy their farms’ accreditation and their livelihoods.
“John Brumby announced a so-called war on locusts in June. It is now his responsibility to guarantee sufficient chemical and biological product supply is available and outline his plan to increase the availability of Green Guard for these producers, otherwise his advertising blitz will have a hollow ring,” Mr Walsh said.

Speaking in Parliament last week Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has urged greater consideration be given to the state of district roads by NVIRP vehicles especially following periods of rain.
“A number of constituents in the Loddon Shire have come to me with concerns about the severe damage being done to their local dirt roads by NVIRP vehicles,” Mr Walsh said.
“These roads are very important components of the transport network in these areas and are regularly used for stock and farm machinery movement thus keeping them off the major roads.
“However, locals know full well that following rain events these roads should not be used because of the damage that will be done to them.
“Unfortunately, this consideration hasn’t been followed by many NVIRP workers,” he said.
“I know that NVIRP has a very important job to do but the damage that is being done to these roads by NVIRP vehicles ultimately renders the roads impassable for locals who rely on them as integral aspects of their farm management.
“I call on senior NVIRP executives to instigate a policy procedure that ensures NVIRP vehicles do not use local dirt roads during or immediately after a rain event thus minimising the damage being done,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said that the 2010 Victorian Seniors Festival in October was a great opportunity for seniors throughout the electorate to enjoy a range of activities and performances in their local area and in Melbourne.
Mr Walsh said that a drawcard for many senior Victorians to attend festival events was the offer of free public transport on regional town bus services, metropolitan transport and V/Line travel during the 2010 Seniors Festival from 3 to 10 October.
As part of the festival there are eight days of free regional town bus services in communities where these services are available. Seniors do not need a ticket for these free services and only need to show their Victorian Seniors Card.
Travel on long-distance V/line rail services and some coach services must be booked before travel.
Free travel on V/Line rail and coach services is available on 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 October.
Mr Walsh said that reservations for the Seniors Festival free economy class travel open on Tuesday 7 September at 10am.
“I would recommend any one wanting to benefit from the free travel on V/Line services to start phoning early as it is my understanding that there are limited seats available.
“It is regrettable that this system of reserving a V/Line seat to enjoy some of the Melbourne events as part of Seniors Festival has caused upset amongst some seniors in my electorate.
“I would encourage the State Government to look at this issue and consider a fairer system for future festivals.”
Tickets for free travel as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival can be booked at the nearest staffed V/Line station, V/Line ticket agent or by calling 136 196. Bookings can be made for one return journey for up to four Victorian Seniors Card holders and tickets must be collected no later than 48 hours after booking.
Large parties of 12 or more must call V/Line to ensure seats will be available. Call 9619 2338 after 10am on Tuesday 7 September to book.
Information is now available on the Seniors Festival and free public transport for seniors who have access to the internet at http://www.seniorscard.vic.gov.au/web19/osv/dvcosv.nsf

In Parliament last week Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, condemned Prime Minister Julia Gillard for undermining the independence and integrity of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
“Julia Gillard has obviously seen the draft of the Murray-Darling Basin plan and in particular the amount of water that will be taken from food-producing communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“How else could she have been able to determine what will be required and be able to commit to fully accepting recommendations for buyback promises made in the draft report on the river system?
“She has demonstrated just how irresponsible she is by not conducting any socio-economic study of the impact on communities of this buyback before fully committing herself through her blatant vote buying exercise.
“The people most affected by the plan have not had an opportunity to see it because the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, believing itself to be an independent body, felt that it would be inappropriate to release it when the commonwealth government is in caretaker mode.
“And yet, now we see the Prime Minister of Australia playing electoral politics with it.
“Prime Minister Gillard and the Australian Labor Party have no understanding of or care for those who live outside the capital cities of Australia and should be condemned for playing politics with the lives of food producers directed affected by the report.
“The Prime Minister must release the plan immediately so that everyone can see what it says and the impact it is going to have,” Mr Walsh said.

Cost blowouts and overruns in projects managed by the Brumby Government’s 19 water authorities are widespread, a new report tabled by the Victorian Auditor-General in State Parliament today shows.
Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the Water Entities: Interim Results of the 2009-10 Audits report was further proof the Brumby Government’s waste was leading to higher water prices.
“Families in regional Victoria are facing skyrocketing water bills of up to $1000 a year because the Brumby Government is throwing money down the gurgler,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Auditor-General’s report shows about 15 per cent of capital projects controlled by the Brumby Government’s water authorities have run over budget while 10 per cent have experienced delays.
“The report blames the blowouts on project defects, a failure to properly estimate the size and complexity of projects, poor labour productivity and a lack of change management practices.
“The Brumby Government’s wasteful practices and its failure to properly manage these capital works are impacting on water prices.
“Coliban Water will raise an additional $4.9 million in revenue from its customers this year by charging them an extra 17 per cent for their water.
“Barwon Water customers are also paying 10 per cent more than last year because of cost overruns on projects like the Melbourne-Geelong interconnector.
“The Brumby Government’s mismanagement has left Barwon Water customers paying for the project’s $60 million cost blowout,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said the report also revealed that money outstanding to creditors had increased by $239 million, or 39 per cent, on the previous year.
“At June 30 last year, government-controlled water entities owed about $800 million,” Mr Walsh said.
“These revelations are particularly concerning given the Auditor-General’s report in November last year which found seven of the state’s 13 urban water authorities were running at a loss,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is encouraging students in Year 9 and Year 10 to participate in the Spirit of ANZAC Prize 2010/11.
The prize is once again open to students in Year 9 and Year 10 at all Victorian secondary schools.
The Spirit of ANZAC Prize aims to inspire young people to explore the ethos of the ANZACs displayed in Gallipoli and the Western Front and to reflect upon how those values apply in Victorian communities today.
“It is important that our young people have an understanding of Australian war history and of the supreme sacrifices made by servicemen and women,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is through their efforts that we now enjoy the freedom of living in the best country in the world.
“I encourage every young Australian to strive to visit Gallipoli and other historic Australian war time sites – the Spirit of ANZAC Prize provides a wonderful opportunity to do this.”
In 2009, Charlton student Jessica Pocklington was an award recipient.
Entries can be a research essay, audio or visual artwork, creative writing or web-based or video presentation.
10 recipients will participate in a study tour, centred on Gallipoli in the first term school holidays in 2011.
All entries will be assessed by regional panels before 27 state finalists are interviewed by a central panel in December 2010 to select the final 10 students. Entries close on Friday 8 October 2010.
For further information and entry forms go to www.veterans.vic.gov.au or email veterans@dpcd.vic.gov.au.