General News
24 November, 2022
Murray Plains candidates have final say
PETER WALSH (Nationals)I am standing again because I feel there is still a lot of work to be done to restore Victoria to its position as not just the premier state of Australia but also a place where people want to come to live – not leave in...
PETER WALSH (Nationals)
I am standing again because I feel there is still a lot of work to be done to restore Victoria to its position as not just the premier state of Australia but also a place where people want to come to live – not leave in their droves.
In regional Victoria the challenge is even more demanding – we are one of the country’s most important food and fibre production locations and large slices of that land have just gone under water and that recovery will be long and hard so it will be the promise of The Nationals to do everything we can, in government or opposition, to help that fightback.
Having got new hospitals for Charlton, Boort, Kerang, and Echuca, I know it’s not just a bricks-and-mortar solution, it’s getting the additional health workforce to ease the burden of the dedicated frontline troops who’ve carried the load too long.
We have also guaranteed $10 billion over 10 years to fast-track bringing our regional and country road network back from the neglect it has suffered under too many years of Labor mismanagement and total disinterest in regional Vitoria.
And I will be able to call on my time in Parliament, and my now extensive network of contacts, to make sure all these jobs get done. Plus I genuinely believe all Victorians should be able to look at the appalling performance of the current government when it comes to delivering for regional Victoria and realise it’s time to ditch Dan.
JOHN BROWNSTEIN (Greens)
I am teacher and former Manager of Operations and Emergency Management for the Department of Education and Training. I have been a Councillor and Mayor of the Benalla Rural City Council. I am a member of; the Swan Hill SES Unit, Bush Search and Rescue Victoria, Alpine Search and Rescue Victoria and the Lake Boga Yacht Club. I live near Swan Hill and am married with three adult children.
I’m a proud, experienced community leader, ready to be the progressive voice Murray Plains needs. We need to tackle the climate crisis with an urgency that the National Party has ignored. The Greens want to replace coal and gas with 100% renewable energy by 2030, while protecting workers, creating jobs, boosting uptake of renewables and protecting national parks.
The major parties have taken our region for granted, and instead of looking after people, Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals give special treatment to big corporate interests, like gas corporations and property developers.
The Greens have plans to improve integrity in politics, regional health, public education, TAFE and public transport.
Home ownership has become unattainable for too many and rents have skyrocketed. The Greens Plan includes the building of 200,000 public and affordable homes and will limit rent increases to stop out of control rent rises. I will push for a government that listens to the needs of our communities and works with integrity to build a strong future for our region.
ANDREA OTTO (Indpendent)
My name is Andrea Otto and I’m your community independent for Murray Plains.
As your community independent I am wanting to bring you along with me on this journey to understand how the community wants me to vote on those important pieces of legislation come across my desk so I can shape my vote for you.
We could be the renewable capital of Victoria, sending renewable power to Melbourne, Adelaide and Southern NSW. Kerang link will be a big part of that and with it will be ongoing jobs.
Yet regional Victorians are unfairly disadvantaged, by systems that see us paying twice the rates as our city cousins, for a property worth half the value.
We have a crisis with our roads, housing, child care and healthcare that impacts our life expectancy. In parts of our electorate family abuse is the highest in the state and we have no housing for victims - mostly women and children. Housing should be based on need, not on voting results.
We need to be noisy around MDBP, as it isn’t working for our people, our communities, our farmers or, the environment.
We have amazing resilient communities that pull together in tough times, but we need more equity and support from those in Spring Street.
I know it will not be easy, and the only promise I make during this election is, if elected I will work hard and I will make the best decisions that I can on behalf of the Murray Plains electorate.
The Loddon Herald has published all candidate responses received.