As Victorians await the release of the State Budget today, local Member, Tim Bull, said it is an opportunity for the Andrews Labor Government to make good on its promise to govern for all Victorians, by supporting projects that are priorities for the residents of East Gippsland.

According to Mr Bull, the projects that he advocated in favour of at the last State Election remain urgent priorities.

“Whilst I am fully appreciative of the fact that not everything being asked for will be delivered, it would be pleasing to have some of our priority projects funded,” he said.

Mr Bull has championed the $15 million stage two redevelopment of the Bairnsdale Secondary College, tabling a petition in the parliament in its support last year and making numerous representations.

Other projects or funding requirements of importance include:

• A rate subsidy for drought affected farmers;
• $633 million state-wide to replace all V/Line long haul carriages, including on the Bairnsdale line;
• Funding for a new respite centre in Bairnsdale;
• $2.2 million to build a new Bairnsdale Fire Station;
• $200,000 for the Paynesville Foreshore Development Plan;
• $35 million boost to the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme;
• An additional $10,000 per year for two years for each of our six bush nursing centres, while a review into long-term funding is undertaken.

Mr Bull said he would also like to see the review of council rates to be progressed with a focus on the unfairness of farm rates.

“These projects are very important to the people of East Gippsland, they fit in with local needs and aspirations and our plan to grow our regional areas,” Mr Bull.

“The Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, has obtained $31 million for Phase 2 of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation project and $2 million for the Bonang Road from the Commonwealth, so it’s now up to the Andrews Government to commit to its share of these projects too.”

Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Peter Walsh, says regional Victorians are at risk of missing out significantly in the budget.

The Regional Growth Fund was established by the former Liberal Nationals government, but will expire on June 30 after eight years of investing in country communities.

Mr Walsh said the State Budget was the Andrews Government’s last chance to make sure this program continued.

“We know city-centric Labor will use any excuse to avoid investing in country communities but axing a successful program that’s delivered $1 billion to Regional Victoria, and leveraged even more, would be a new low,” Mr Walsh said. “With funding expiring on June 30, Daniel Andrews must renew the program in Monday’s State Budget.

“Before the 2018 Election, the Liberal Nationals pledged a fresh $1 billion injection for the program if we were elected to government, but Labor failed to commit.

“Daniel Andrews must provide a substantial, dedicated fund for regional development in the upcoming State Budget.”

Mr Walsh said since it was established, the program has assisted with masterplans, tourism initiatives, festivals and events, walking and cycling trails and other important community assets.

“Daniel Andrews will feel the wrath of our regional communities if he has axed the Regional Growth Fund from this year’s State Budget,” Mr Walsh said.

“The Premier likes politicking that he can’t get dollars from Canberra when the reality is the Federal Liberal Nationals Government is tipping billions into regional projects like the Rail Revival, water and irrigation projects... Gippsland’s Princes Highway and more while Daniel Andrews just keeps cutting and cutting Victoria’s regional budgets.”