Friday 27 May 2016
Dear Editor
Water is the lifeblood of Victoria’s regional communities and is critical to our world-class agriculture sector.
But the reshuffle of Labor’s Cabinet on Monday which put water and police under one minister suggests city-centric Daniel Andrews totally fails to grasp its importance.
To my mind the police portfolio is a formidable responsibility particularly considering the escalating law and order issues in this state.
Crime in Victoria went up more than eight per cent in the Andrews Government’s first year and the new minister faces a significant challenge with youth gang crime in Melbourne.
The water needs of our regional communities are too important to be relegated to second-rate priorities with a part-time Minister.
Peter Walsh
Shadow Minister for Water