Media Releases

Dear Sir,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the electors of the Swan Hill District on their extraordinary vote of confidence in me as their local Member of Parliament.
The level of my vote is also a very strong message of dissatisfaction with John Brumby and Labor and a clear message that the electors of Swan Hill do not want another 4 years of Labor government in Victoria.
Whatever role I may have in a future Government, my very clear commitment will always be to the electorate that sent me to the Victorian Parliament and I look forward to continuing to work with the individuals and organisations throughout what I consider to be one of the best regions in Victoria.
Once again, my thanks to all.

A new analysis of water losses in the Goulburn Murray irrigation system shows Labor’s promised water savings have evaporated.
Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the figures showed the north-south pipeline was taking water from irrigators and the environment instead of savings.
“There has been no reduction in the volume of water lost from the system since the modernisation began,” Mr Walsh said.
“John Brumby has shut down large swathes of the irrigation system to achieve his so-called ‘water savings’ for the north-south pipeline.
“But this analysis shows that, in fact, that the government hasn’t made any improvements in water efficiency.”
The attached chart plots the water released from the Goulburn weir against the water delivered to irrigators over the past 10 years.
“If there was an improvement in efficiency, more recent years would be plotted higher on the chart, showing a greater proportion of water released was delivered to irrigators,” Mr Walsh said.
“Instead, it shows the opposite, with more recent years falling below the trend line.”
Mr Walsh said the figures reiterated the need for an independent judicial inquiry into the Food Bowl Modernisation Project (FBMP) and the north-south pipeline.
“John Brumby must be held to account for the government’s mishandling of the FBMP and his decision to build the north-south pipeline,” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor committed $1 billion of public funds to the project solely on the basis of advice from a non-representative stakeholder group.
“No detailed cost benefit analysis or a business case was carried out and now we have good reason to believe the project hasn’t achieved any water savings.”
In July last year the Auditor-General found Labor invested in the project ‘based on advice of water savings and cost assumptions that had not been verified, technology that had not yet proven itself and the feasibility of the project, which was unknown’.
“In Government, the Coalition will hold an independent judicial inquiry into the government’s botched water projects
“Taxpayers, irrigators and communities in northern Victoria deserve to hear the truth about the cover-ups and lies that have surrounded these projects,” Mr Walsh said.

Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will ease the financial pressure on sporting clubs, small businesses and community groups by slashing Labor’s exorbitant liquor licensing fees.
“Since 2008 the Brumby government has increased fees for small sporting and community clubs by over 200% and some small businesses by up to 1000%,” Mr Walsh said.
“This has made holding a liquor licence unaffordable for many of these groups and sporting clubs and increased costs for struggling small businesses.”
Mr Walsh said the Coalition, if elected to government, will cut a range of liquor licence renewal fees by more than half, commencing from 1 January 2011.
“Sporting and social clubs are the lifeblood of many communities and they are not responsible for John Brumby’s failure to deal with a rising tide of mainly metropolitan based alcohol-related violence.
“Labor has made these groups the scapegoat for the government’s incompetence,” Mr Walsh said.
“Similarly, our restaurants, cafes and vignerons are a vital part of Victoria’s cultural mix, but Labor has treated them as though they are responsible for drunken violence and assaults.
“The Liberal Nationals Coalition will ease the financial burden on these sporting and community groups and small businesses by delivering an immediate and major reduction in their liquor licence renewal fees,” he said.
“The Coalition will support our community groups in the fantastic work they do by making liquor licence fees fair and affordable,” Mr Walsh said.
The Coalition’s policy contrasts with Labor’s policy, which only offers a fee reduction for clubs with fewer than 100 members.
“Unlike Labor, the Coalition will not penalise clubs that have worked to build their membership to 100 or more.
“A Coalition government will protect Victoria’s sporting clubs, community groups and small businesses from John Brumby’s licence fee attack,” Mr Walsh said.

The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition will review the Domestic Animals Act to ensure it defines the role of animal rescue groups.
Making the announcement today, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said legislation had not kept pace with the expectations of the community.
“Victorian legislation needs to be clarified to include the role of groups and individuals who foster and rescue animals,” Mr Walsh said.
“The existing regulations are out-of-date as they were designed to meet circumstances as they existed more than a decade ago.
“In Government, the Coalition will revise these regulations to ensure that they are delivering the best outcomes in animal welfare.”
Mr Walsh said many animal rescue groups did a wonderful job caring for and placing unwanted and seized companion animals.
“Animal rescue groups take animals from pounds and shelters, and assess their health and temperament before placing them with people who will give them a new home,” Mr Walsh said.
“They also ensure dogs and cats are de-sexed, microchipped, vaccinated and wormed.
“Under the government’s current code of practice, unless a foster care or rescue program can be found within 28 days, animals must be euthanized.
“The code does not give any definition of foster programs, lumping them in with organisations such as the Lost Dogs’ Home or the RSPCA.
“Animal rescue groups say these regulations are placing an onerous burden on them, preventing them from rehousing animals.
“In Government, the Coalition will clarify the role of these groups so that they can continue with their important work of finding new homes for abandoned and unwanted pets,” Mr Walsh said.

Victoria’s concession card holders will have their year-round electricity bills slashed by 17.5 percent under a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government, Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh announced today.
Mr Walsh said the Coalition would also extend stamp duty relief to eligible self-funded retirees who were entitled to a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
“Reducing electricity bills will help to ease cost of living pressures for so many older people in our community as well as other concession card holders,” Mr Walsh said.
“Older local residents, especially those on fixed incomes, struggle with massive electricity bills and after 11 years of Labor government it has become much worse.”
Mr Walsh said the Coalition’s $351.4 million electricity bill concession plan would enable more than 800,000 households to benefit from lower electricity bills year round across the state.
“Labor’s summer electricity concession policy will only apply to concession card holders for the three-month summer period. The Coalition’s plan means that local concession card holders will receive a 17.5% reduction on their electricity bills all year round,” Mr Walsh said.
“The new concession will be available to holders of Pensioner Concession Cards, Health Care Cards or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Cards.
Mr Walsh said the Coalition would also extend the land transfer stamp duty concession threshold to include all seniors, including self-funded retirees.
“This will provide relief to retirees, including those entitled to a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, who are downsizing their homes.
“This package of initiatives will make a real difference to local people who have struggled keeping up with rising everyday costs,” Mr Walsh said.

Irrigators will be given the power to elect half of the board governing Goulburn Murray Water under a Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government.
Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said rural water authorities would be forced to become more open and democratic under the Coalition.
“There is widespread concern in rural communities that those controlling the state’s rural water authorities have lost touch with their customers,” Mr Walsh said.
“Under a Coalition Government, the customers of Goulburn Murray Water will elect 50 per cent of the authority’s board.
“We will seek advice from the Victorian Electoral Commission as to the most appropriate way of implementing these reforms.”
Mr Walsh said the Coalition would also restore irrigators’ rights to directly elect Goulburn Murray Water’s customer service committees.
“A Coalition Government will give customer committees greater influence over matters relating to the services provided by the water authority,” Mr Walsh said.
“Our reforms will reinvigorate the water authority and ensure irrigators get the say that they deserve.
“Under Labor, these committees have been bullied and forced to sign a confidentiality agreement preventing them from speaking against government policy.
“The Boort-Pyramid water services committee was even sacked because it dared to challenge Labor’s decision to build the north-south pipeline and the rationalisation of irrigation infrastructure.
“Under a Coalition Government, these committees will again become a strong voice for irrigators,” Mr Walsh said.

First home buyers throughout the electorate have received a huge boost with Coalition plans to cut stamp duty, Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said this week.
“If elected to government on Saturday we will cut stamp duty for eligible first home buyers by 50%,” Mr Walsh said.
“This will be a huge boost for people looking to buy their first home.
“Under Labor the cost of housing has reached a frightening level with the current high stamp duty tax regime making it extremely difficult for first home buyers in particular to enter the market.”
Mr Walsh said that under the Coalition plan, the 50 per cent cut in stamp duty would be phased in over the first term of government, starting with a 20 per cent cut from July next year.
“It will represent a major saving for first home buyers, and for many, it will be the difference in being able to make that successful purchase,” he said.
“We will also be maintaining the existing first home buyers grant and bonuses for new homes.
“This is particularly about enabling young people in regional areas to realise the Australian dream of owning their own home,” Mr Walsh said.
“This stamp duty commitment, the higher education opportunities we are providing and our investments aimed at improving services and facilities in regional Victoria are about providing the incentives for young people to stay in our communities and to also attract city dwellers to country Victoria.
“Young families are our future and the Liberal Nationals Coalition are determined to work with our rural communities to ensure these young people stay and live in our region,” Mr Walsh said.

The redevelopment of the Yea saleyards will receive a $400,000 boost if the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition is elected to government this month.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh made the announcement in Seymour today with The Nationals candidate for Seymour Anthony Rolando and Liberal candidate for Seymour Cindy McLeish.
Mr Walsh said the funding would assist with the construction of a new roof over the saleyards, a new canteen and a meeting room.
“The Coalition’s $400,000 commitment to the staged upgrade of the Yea saleyards will provide the region with an all-weather facility,” Mr Walsh said.
“This upgrade is essential to support the area’s vibrant livestock industry, especially now that the Alexandra saleyards are to be closed and Mansfield will hold its last sale in January.
“When complete the saleyards will employ technology to capture water from the roof and recycle it to wash trucks, and it will include improved amenities for staff, agents, buyers and vendors.”
Mr Walsh said the saleyards, which are located on Flat Lead Lane off the Yea-Whittlesea Road, have a capacity of 3000 weaners or 2500 grown cattle.
“The upgrade will enable 23 sales per year with a throughput of about 34,000 cattle valued at over $19 million,” Mr Walsh said
“The roofing will provide shelter in winter and shade in summer while the upgrades will improve the health of animals.
“It will also enable council to improve truck access and occupational health and safety issues,” Mr Walsh said.
The Nationals candidate for Seymour Anthony Rolando said the additional investment would deliver a 21st century facility to Yea.
“The Coalition’s commitment to refurbished Yea saleyards will generate economic activity in the region and provide more jobs to help retain young people in the area,” Mr Rolando said.
“It will deliver a modern and up-to-date facility that will secure Yea’s status as a major livestock hub.”
Liberal candidate for Seymour Cindy McLeish said the saleyards would benefit the community, livestock and the environment.
“A Coalition Government will ensure Yea gets a fair share of funding to secure the future of this important project,” Ms McLeish said.

The Chisholm Park Motor Sports complex will be the recipients of a $2 million development grant from the Liberal Nationals Coalition’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund if it is elected to government at the November 27 poll according to sitting Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh.
“Leader of the Victorian Nationals, Peter Ryan, and myself recently met with representatives of the motor sports club and viewed first hand the development that has taken place and the plans for the future of the complex,” Mr Walsh said.
“The community and voluntary input which has driven the complex to the stage it is now at is one of the most impressive features of the Reserve.
“The fact that there is such a high community involvement has been instrumental in me being able to achieve the substantial $2 million commitment from the Liberal Nationals Coalition.
“The funds will enable an immediate start to work that will be recommended in the soon to be released Development Plan for the complex.
“Events at the Chisholm Park complex attract thousands of enthusiasts every time they are held with the vast majority of these being from out of town resulting in an enormous economic benefit to Swan Hill.
“This is a great resource for the region and is a result of the drive and commitment that people throughout northern Victoria show when developing projects and programs for their communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Liberal Nationals Coalition are committed to the social and economic development of regional community projects and I am very pleased that this funding commitment will go a long way to ensuring the enjoyment of those using the Chisholm Park complex continues to grow,” he said.

Young farmers buying their first property will be exempt from paying stamp duty under a Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said a Coalition Government would provide $6 million over four years to give young farmers a helping hand to buy their first property.
“The cost of stamp duty in buying land is a huge hurdle for young people attempting to establish themselves in Victoria’s agricultural industry,” Mr Walsh said.
“With the average age of our farmers increasing and young people not entering the industry, it’s time to help young farmers who are buying their first property.
“A Coalition Government will reduce the cost burden by exempting farmers under the age of 35 from paying stamp duty on the first $300,000 worth of agricultural land purchased.
“The exemption is designed to arrest the flow of young people forced to leave traditional farming backgrounds.
“A Coalition Government will also retain the First Farm Grant, spending up to $2 million to give young farmers access to business advice and a cash grant to kick start their businesses.”
Mr Walsh said the future of food and fibre production in Victoria depended on the next generation of farmers.
“Almost 20 per cent of Victorian workers are employed in agriculture and associated food and fibre industries,” Mr Walsh said.
“Our plan recognises the huge contribution agriculture makes to our state and the vital role it will continue to play in the future growth of Victoria’s economy.
“These incentives will encourage young people to commit themselves to a future in the industry to guarantee the long-term security of the state’s food supply.”
Mr Walsh said the stamp duty exemption and the commitment to the First Farm Grant built on the Coalition’s commitment to provide $1 million to revitalise the Victorian Young Farmers organisation.
“The Coalition’s plan will go a long way to redressing the failures of the Brumby Government, which for 11 years has not done enough to help young farmers,” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor’s numerous food strategies have all failed to increase food and fibre exports.
“After 11 years of Labor, food and fibre exports have stagnated at $6 billion, just half of the $12 billion Labor promised they would reach by 2010.
“Only the Coalition is committed to providing our industry with the economic, social and educational support it needs to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future,” Mr Walsh said.