Media Releases

The Wedderburn Harness Racing Cup will make a triumphant return to Donaldson Park on December 16th after an enforced seven year absence and Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh will join Minister for Racing Denis Napthine at this historic event.
“This is a great moment in the history of the Wedderburn Harness Racing Club,” Mr Walsh said.
“Local owners, trainers and enthusiasts have worked hard for this moment and they have had the full support of the Coalition Government in overturning the previous Labor Government’s poorly thought through decision to hobble this vital community industry.
“The Club has planned a fantastic program of events, both on and off the track, for all racegoers and families looking for a great day’s entertainment,” Mr Walsh said.
Highlights of the day’s entertainment will include a number of special attractions including:
• The Club Sulky Relay Challenge with local sporting clubs having the chance to win a brand new $13,500 Holden Barina Spark
• A members’ sweep on the Wedderburn Cup with the winner receiving a Holden Barina Spark
• A race book competition with a $10,000 Round the Word holiday voucher on offer
• Face painting, camel rides and prize giveaways for the kids
• Live music and
• A spectacular fireworks display to the end the evening.
Buses from Melbourne are also being provided to encourage visitors to make the journey to Wedderburn.
Dr Napthine said the Victorian Coalition Government had provided $130,600 for a major overhaul of harness racing facilities at Wedderburn which included track resurfacing, fencing, OH&S improvements and an upgrade of broadcast facilities as well as extra funding for the special day’s activities.
Club President Nick Youngson said the Cup is a chance for the entire Wedderburn community to get together and enjoy the great range of activities on offer, as well as see some fantastic harness racing.
“We are sure that this will be a great day both for the Club and for all of Wedderburn and we’re thankful for the support of the Victorian Government in helping us make this happen.”

Local wineries will have to wait until 2012 before they see any benefits in the Brumby Labor Government’s latest back-flip to their ill conceived risk based liquor licence policy, Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said today.
The Minister for Consumer Affairs announced a new Producer’s Licence this week which would replace the current vignerons’ licence and allow breweries and wineries to promote and sell produce at an unlimited number of markets, shows and festivals without obtaining additional temporary licences.
“Whilst this change is welcome it doesn’t make sense that the industry will have to continue to pay significant increases in liquor licences for another two years before the amendment kicks in,” Mr Walsh said.
“If the State Government was genuine about wanting to support the ongoing development of the local wine industry by reducing unnecessary licensing regulation, the changes should come into effect immediately.
“Having attacked our small wine producers for two years, Labor cynically thinks it can buy votes just weeks out from an election with a half-baked promise that won’t take effect for another two years.
“The so called risk based liquor licence fee reforms by the Brumby Government are fundamentally flawed and they have been forced to make significant changes since the introduction of the fee structure in early 2009 and they still can’t get it right.”
“There is still a need to address the issue that many country pubs and liquor outlets have been hit hard with significant increases in liquor licence fees due to the risk based fee structure.
“A Liberal Nationals Coalition government will review the risk based liquor licence fee structure to ensure that a more equitable system is implemented,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is warning local liquor licensees to have all relevant paperwork in place after inspectors visited the city this week.
The Nationals MP said at least one local business had been hit with a non-compliance Inspection Record.
“I was told yesterday that inspectors are visiting premises in Swan Hill and requesting to see a copy of Red Line Plans that by law need to be held onsite,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Brumby Government is trying to justify its huge liquor licence fee hikes by sending out inspectors to visit licensees, such as small family run motels, in an attempt to demonstrate that they are busy policing licence holders.
“I urge all liquor licence holders in the electorate to double check that they have all their files and paperwork up to date to avoid being issued with a non-compliant Inspection Record.”

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, yesterday moved a Notice of Motion in Parliament condemning the Brumby Government on its unjust Liquor Licensing fee hikes.

“Despite an enormous ground swell of opposition to the tax, which will have a devastating impact on small clubs and organisations, the Brumby Government has only given lip-service to the calls for a review of the legislation,” Mr Walsh said.

“In moving the Notice of Motion I brought to the attention of Parliament the plight of one of the small sporting clubs in my electorate which has been hard hit by the tax hike.

“The Watchem Bowling Club, which has only 16 members, made an operating loss in excess of $2000 last year and, like many others in a similar position, submitted an application for fee relief.

“Despite clearly demonstrating their eligibility in meeting the hardship requirements set out by the Brumby Government they still have been hit with a 220% increase in their Liquor Licence Fee.

 “The entire exercise of clubs and small businesses receiving an opportunity to claim a waiver or reduction in their fee has proven to be a cynical exercise by this Government,” Mr Walsh said.

“The history of these clubs and businesses overwhelmingly demonstrates responsible serving of alcohol with the main purpose of holding a liquor licence being to provide a service to the local community.

“In condemning the Brumby Government on its ill-thought through legislation I call upon the Premier to reconsider his attitude to small clubs and businesses in country Victoria and make a legitimate attempt to resolve the issues of violence in metropolitan Melbourne and some large regional centres through more appropriate means,” Mr Walsh said.

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.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has lashed the Brumby government for its response to the requests for reduction of community club’s Liquor Licensing Fees.

“The Brumby Government has once again shown its contempt for small community groups in its responses to clubs license fee reduction requests,” Mr Walsh said.

“After much pressure the Government finally agreed to allow clubs, organisations and businesses to submit claims based on financial hardship.

“The time frame and requirements for these claims was short and, for many, quite demanding, but nevertheless many groups submitted these requests in good faith.

“Now the so-called generosity of the Brumby Government is being shown up with its response to these requests.

“One small, Mallee bowling club in my electorate who were hit with a 300% initial fee increase have now been advised that their increase has been reduced by $97. This now means that their increase is just over 200%.

“Another small bowling club whose fee skyrocketed to $795 have been informed their new fee is only $600. Once again an increase of more than 220% on their original fee.

“The arrogance and lack of concern for the survival of these volunteer sporting groups being shown by the Brumby Government is contemptible.

“The Coalition is determined to continue harassing the Brumby Government over its blatant money raising exercise and I urge everyone to sign one of the petitions circulating the community condemning the Government for its actions.

“I have copies of the petition in my office or I can send them out to any groups who would like one,” Mr Walsh said.

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%.”

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is urging all small business and not-for-profit organisations to apply for a waiver or reduction on their Liquor Licence Fees.

“The Brumby government has finalised acknowledged how much they have botched their liquor licence fee reform program,” Mr Walsh said.

“After massive community protest the government has now released the form for small business and not-for-profit organisations to apply for a waiver or reduction on their fees.

“Unfortunately, this form only applies to small businesses with five or less employees and not-for-profit clubs and organisations,” he said.

“We must keep the pressure up to try and get the government to review its entire licence fee reform agenda to get some equity and common-sense back into the system.

“Any business or organisation intending to apply for a fee waiver or reduction only have until December 31 this year to get their application submitted to the Director of Liquor Licensing,” Mr Walsh said.

“Eligible applicants will not be required to pay their licence fee renewal until a decision is made about their application.

The form is available by either phoning Responsible Alcohol Victoria on 1300 650 367 or downloading it from the internet from the Justice Department site. However, as the address for this site is extremely long and complicated, copies are available from Peter Walsh’s office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

The Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh has slammed the Brumby Government for its blatant disregard of small, not-for-profit organisations caught up in the botched liquor licence fee reform saga.

“As well as the unfair burden that is being placed on country pubs, clubs and liquor outlets by this ill-thought out policy, the full impact is now being felt by the many small not-for-profit community groups throughout country Victoria,” Mr Walsh said today.

“Many of these liquor licensees are now starting to receive the Liquor Licence / Permit Renewal Notices and they are finding that they are being slugged an extra 427%,” he said.

“This is a disgrace.

“These organisations barely make a profit over the year and this fee increase is going to have a massive impact on their bottom line,” Mr Walsh said.

“One small country golf club in my electorate had an operating loss of $361 this past season but still felt that they had had a successful year because of the support they received from their local community and the numbers of golfers who made use of the golf course.

“This club, as do many others, works tirelessly to provide its community with a facility they can use and relax in but this massive liquor licence fee hike is going to hit the club hard, as it will the many other similar sized organisations in country Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.

“The government should be condemned for increasing liquor licence fees without any understanding of the impact on small, not-for-profit clubs.

“It is essential the government immediately reconsider these reforms with a view to introducing a fairer system,” he said.