General News
24 November, 2022
Bendigo East candidates have final say
JACINTA ALLANBendigo is a great place to live and I’m proud to be delivering what matters for our region. We’ve built the new Bendigo hospital, new train stations at Huntly, Raywood and Gooronong and delivered more V-Line services. Over the last...
JACINTA ALLAN
Bendigo is a great place to live and I’m proud to be delivering what matters for our region.
We’ve built the new Bendigo hospital, new train stations at Huntly, Raywood and Gooronong and delivered more V-Line services.
Over the last eight years we’ve upgraded every school in the region, we’ve saved Bendigo TAFE and we’re making kinder free.
We’ve made record investments in mental health services, social housing and in the prevention of family violence.
But we’ve got more to do.
That’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will hire new regional nurses and ambos upgrade White Hills, Huntly and Camp Hill primary schools and deliver a new childcare centre at Eaglehawk North Primary.
We’ll drive down power bills with a government owned energy company and we’ll cap V-line fares so that regional passengers pay the same as people in Melbourne.
We’ll continue to back local sports clubs and we’ll bring the Commonwealth Games to Bendigo.
The last few years have been tough, and that’s why this election is so important. The choice Victorians have is between a government that gets things done and the Liberal party promising cuts and closures.
Labor is doing what matters
MICHAEL TOLHURST (Greens)
It has been a privilege meeting so many people in this election campaign, and gaining a better understanding of the issues facing our community.
For those of you who I haven’t met yet, I would introduce myself as a dad, a civil engineer and lover of the outdoors. I love living in this area - the strong community connections, quality of life and connection with the bush are our way of life.
Our region is under threat from the climate crisis, and as a water expert, I’ve seen just how vulnerable we are to environmental damage. From droughts and heatwaves to floods and fires, every year it gets harder for locals to work on the land, enjoy our area and protect the environment. The Greens will push to replace coal and gas with 100% renewable energy by 2030 and drive immediate action to address the rising cost of living, housing unaffordability, a healthcare system in crisis, and upgrading transport infrastructure in regional areas.
We want to look after the land by establishing a Victorian Centre for Regenerative Agriculture and enabling Victoria to become the Australian leader in land restoration.
Your vote is powerful. With your help, we can create a thriving Bendigo East for us and future generations to enjoy.
BEN MIHAIL (One Nation)
My name is Ben Mihail, and I am the candidate for Bendigo East with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Over many years, we have seen the deterioration of our political system, which has touched just about every industry that operates within it due to severe government overreach. I am not just talking about the handling of the last 2½ years with the pandemic. That is a situation that requires a full Royal Commission which is the only way that our society will be able to get closure. A process that the incumbent government is trying to avoid.
I am talking about our critical services. Areas such as health, emergency services, education, political integrity, housing and farming (with regards to both food production and water distribution).
All of these areas have been neglected by our government for many years, requiring drastic changes if we are to see them improve. I am not going to throw around the big numbers the major parties manufacture whenever there is an election coming.
All that I will give you is the truth, sound policy and the promise that I will fight for you when I get to parliament.
If you want to know where to cast your vote, the only two things you need to do is read the candidates/patries policies and meet your candidate to see if they are value-aligned with you.
VYONNE McLELLAND-HOWE (Animal Justice Party)
Endorsed Animal Justice Party candidate for East Bendigo Vyonne McLelland-Howe, a mother and grandmother, has had a life-long passion for animal welfare, but she says the party, which she joined around 18 months ago, is not just about animals but a bigger vision of compassion and kindness for all.
The party’s core values are kindness, equality, rationality, and non-violence, and for me, they go right to my heart.
The former family lawyer, who worked largely in the legal aid system, says she witnessed incredible cruelty over the course of her career and wants to represent the only political party dedicated to stopping all forms of cruelty.
Ms McLelland-Howe argues the AJP has a full suite of rational evidence-based policies and positions on people and the planet as well as animals. In relation to matters that affect communities such as Serpentine, Dingee and surrounding areas, she states: “Having lived in Bendigo for nearly 60 years I have had a great deal of involvement with people from these districts, my family members have worked at places such as Dingee Bush Nursing Clinic.
“I have had school friends from farms in Serpentine, where I have stayed on holidays and my husband Andrew Howe was raised on a dairy farm in Calivil and attended East Loddon School.
“I understand and have listened to the issues that people face who live away from the city and will work hard with communities to ensure that they are cared for and are safe, especially from the effects of climate change that are now devastating many communities.
“We must take an holistic view and transform our society so that no species is left behind.
“Our current system has failed to protect us and our environment and it is time to use a different way of solving the problems that we face and will face into the future. We must be proactive, not reactive and we must make serious changes, but we will do this together.”
The Loddon Herald has published all responses received by candidates