Politics & Council
21 July, 2026
Persuasive plea lost on minister
STICK to the script and hope the criticism goes away.
STICK to the script and hope the criticism goes away.
That would seem to be the attitude of the State Government whenever it is questioned about the abandoned promise of a new ambulance station in Wedderburn,
Whether the minister on whose watch the decision was made - the Government continues to say it was Ambulance Victoria and AV alone although no one in Wedderburn is convinced - or her successor as Health and Ambulance Services Minister Harriet Shing, their minders now just do a copy and paste when questioned.
This week Ms Shing was asked whether she would “take another look” at the decision as requested by Wedderburn Development Association.
Faster than a Telstra meltdown is fixed, the government minders fired back: “The response remains the same as in April.”
Even offered to resend the same words again.
Don’t worry, the always overflowing inbox had retained them, and for our readers, here they are again:
“We will continue to work with Ambulance Victoria to understand their current and future infrastructure needs - so they can continue delivering the very best care.
“Wedderburn continues to be supported by our hardworking Ambulance Community Officers and Paramedics in Wedderburn, Inglewood, St Arnaud, Charlton, Boort, Donald, Eaglehawk and Bendigo.
“Loddon Shire Council made local planning decisions in anticipation of a possible future land acquisition, however no commitment to purchase a site was in place.
“Ambulance Victoria continues to provide services to Wedderburn and surrounding communities through existing resources, including local ambulance crews and community‑based models. Demand will continue to be monitored as part of longer‑term planning to ensure ambulance services evolve in line with community need.”
That was April. Wedderburn Development Association sent a letter in July. Obviously, to the government spin doctors that letter means zip, nothing and zero. The message to local residents campaigning to have an ambulance station could be interpreted as being “don’t waste your time”.
For all we know, the Wedderburn letter has probably not even been drawn to the attention of the minister. When Wedderburn Development is given the courtesy of response to its courteous and compelling case to have commitments honoured, it will no doubt parrot the same lines as what is becoming the “famous April response”.
Of course, that will not be the first time this year that words of beguiling platitudes have been penned to Loddon organisations.
Despite an agreement having been already signed between the State and Federal Governments on childcare funding - an action that saw the promised $5 million for care in Loddon Shire snapped up by Spring Street and wiped off the bottom line of its already built and opened centre in Wedderburn - the Inglewood and Bridgewater committee pushing for a centre to service southern Loddon communities was told by the State Government that no decisions had been made and discussions continued. Days after that letter was received, the real situation was revealed.
No matter who forms government in Victoria after November’s election, a fair bit more honesty in responding to the concerns of country Victorians will not go astray.
To deflect and stonewall, as happened on childcare funding and is now unfolding in the Wedderburn ambulance station debacle, lacks respect and courtesy towards people passionate about the future and wellbeing of their communities.
The passing last week of former Bendigo West MP Max Turner - his seat at the time included some of our southern Loddon towns - reminded me of the words of 19th century US theologian James Freeman Clarke he used to conclude his “maiden” speech in the Parliament.
“A politician thinks of the next election and a statesman thinks of the next generation.”
Our Parliaments are full of politicians. How many can point to decisions that stamp them as statesmen and women?
Read More: Wedderburn