November 2018
Monday, 12 November 2018 15:24

A better deal for Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance residents will get a better deal under a Liberal Nationals Government, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull.
 
Mr Bull said among many commitments announced by the Liberal Nationals, new train sets for the Gippsland line, an increase in patient transport subsidies and a review into farm rates were among those popular with various sectors of the local community.
 
“While we have announced hundreds of policies state-wide to improve the life of regional and rural Victorians, these are just some that will have real meaning in Lakes Entrance,” Mr Bull said.
 
“They come on top of our commitment to provide $1.5 million to build a new on-water café with public access toilets, viewing platform and waterfront deck at Bullock Island,” he said.
 
Mr Bull said he believed the plan to replace all existing long-haul carriages on the Bairnsdale line with new train sets was exciting.
 
“They will be more comfortable, have a buffet service and we will also upgrade the rail line for a service from Bairnsdale to Melbourne in around two hours,” he said.
 
“We have also committed to an expansion of the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme, which provides many locals who have to travel further afield for specialist medical treatment with financial assistance.
 
“The current subsidy for accommodation per night in Victoria is $45 and the kilometre reimbursement is 21c and the Liberal Nationals will increase this to $60 and 25c respectively,” Mr Bull said.
 
Having met with drought-affected farmers in East Gippsland over recent months, including with Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy and Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh, Mr Bull said the review into a farm rates review would result in a better deal for families on the land.
 
He said a rate cap limit would be applied to all rating categories while the review is undertaken.
 
“Other commitments of interest to Lakes Entrance residents include:
 
• $1 billion in additional funding to improve country roads;
• A more common-sense rollout of wire rope and roadside barriers;
• Returning all boating registration fees back into facilities;
• A $50 million autism package to better support families with special needs children;
• Payroll tax cuts for country businesses from 2.4 per cent to 1 per cent.
• Royal Commission into fire service culture and presumptive legislation for CFA volunteers; and
• $195 million to grassroots sport, not AFL.”
 
“The Nationals look forward to having the opportunity to deliver these policies and projects if elected on November, just like we delivered a number of big-ticket items when last in government including a new Toorloo Arm Primary School, the delivery of natural gas and a new Myer Street jetty, among others, between 2010 and 2014.”
 
Monday, November 12, 2018
 
 
Published in Media
Monday, 12 November 2018 15:18

Orbost stands by its farmers

The Orbost community is standing by its drought-stricken farmers, on Saturday launching a campaign aimed specifically at providing further support for families in need.
 
Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull said the Stand By Your Farmer Campaign was a great initiative driven by the community.
 
“As many are aware, the drought is really taking a stranglehold on farmers right across eastern Victoria, and particularly those here in Orbost and its surrounds,” Mr Bull said.
 
“The impact of a serious drought like this are far-reaching. When there is less money going around, various sections of the community like small businesses begin to feel the effects, which is why it was pleasing to see the community come together on Saturday.”
 
Aims of Stand By Your Farmer include:
 
• Promoting mental health and wellbeing of farmers and families;
• Supporting local businesses, which are also impacted;
• Working in partnership with community organisations to raise the awareness of support available for mental health and wellbeing;
• Having the voices of local farmers heard; and
• Promoting support for farming families through fundraising.
 
“While there are financial supports available from various local organisations and Federal and State Governments, often community-minded events like these are the best therapy for our farmers, who are really feeling the pinch of the drought, as they have been over the past two years,” Mr Bull said.
 
“Full credit to the working group, which included Rotary members, local farmers, Far East Victoria Landcare, Orbost Regional Health and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for organising.
 
“I understand the working group has been successful in obtaining some grant funding to support farmers and will hold a number of activities for farming families and the wider community in the near future.”
 
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull has his blood pressure checked at Saturday’s Stand By Your Farmer Campaign launch in Orbost.
 
Monday, November 12, 2018
Published in Media
Thursday, 08 November 2018 15:05

Boost for RSLs, Scouts and Guides

RSL Sub Branches and Scouts and Guides facilities will be upgraded by an elected Liberal Nationals Government.
 
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said a Liberal Nationals Government will have a $2 million RSL Building Maintenance Fund and a $4m Scouts and Guides Infrastructure Fund, while also initiating a Scouts in Schools Program aimed at getting more people involved with the organisation.
 
Mr Bull said the RSL Building Maintenance Fund offered grants of up to $30,000 to support non-gaming RSLs and other ex-service organisations.
 
“Grants will be used to maintain RSL buildings or make minor improvements to ensure our veterans are supported. They can also be used to upgrade or maintain cenotaphs, community memorials or Avenues of Honour.”
 
“Local RSLs are the lifeblood of our communities and Liberal Nationals will always support those who protect us.
 
“Labor has been in power 15 of the last 19 years and has failed to adequately provide funding for RSLs leaving branches to fundraise themselves or let their buildings fall into disrepair – and I have seen this first-hand in Stratford for example, where Liberal Nationals have committed to upgrading the facilities,” he said.
 
Shadow Minister for Veterans Danny O’Brien said RSLs were more than just bricks and mortar.
 
“They are a haven for our returned service men and women and a hub for many communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“But their bricks and mortar also need attention and small grants under our program will help make the local RSL more welcoming, functional and comfortable for our veterans.”
 
Mr Bull said the Scouts and Guides package would secure more opportunities for young people to share in the benefits of the organisation and ensure local clubs can offer programs in quality facilities, with grants provided on a matching basis.
 
“Scouts and Guides groups and RSL Sub Branches all make an invaluable contribution across East Gippsland, so it is important their work in our communities is supported,” Mr Bull said.
 
“The Scouts in Schools Program will see trainers employed at participating schools, leading activities during lunch breaks. Running the program through schools will remove the cost and time barriers which stop many willing children joining their local Scouts club.”
 
Caption: The Nationals Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull and Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy have announced separate grants programs to upgrade facilities used by RSL Sub Branches and Scout and Guides groups.
 
Thursday, November 8, 2018
 
Published in Media
Wednesday, 07 November 2018 09:01

$30 million connectivity boost

Residents from remote areas within East Gippsland will have better mobile connectivity under an elected Liberal Nationals Government.
 
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said an elected Liberal Nationals Government will invest $30 million over four years in telecommunications infrastructure that improves mobile coverage and competition across Victoria.
 
Mr Bull said limited to no coverage in places like in some parts of East Gippsland were affecting the ability to attract and retain residents and businesses.
 
“Better connectivity in our region will boost liveability, quality of life and business productivity, helping local people to stay in touch with friends and family and run their business,” Mr Bull said.
 
“I’ve spoken to many people who say limited phone service and blackspots reduce their productivity and profitability, chewing up time as they try to find coverage or missing important messages altogether.
 
“A Liberal Nationals Government will make it a priority to invest in better coverage in Regional Victoria, including in areas prone to bushfire, along transport routes, key agribusiness areas and in communities with limited telecommunications access.”
 
Poor mobile connectivity impacts liveability, quality of life and business productivity and profitability in rural and regional Victoria.
 
Regional Victorians, and notably farmers, rate telecommunications as one of the most pressing public policy problems affecting their lives and businesses.
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh said the Victorian investment program would leverage co-investments from federal and local governments, service providers, businesses and communities.
 
“There are too many places across our State where communications services aren’t up to scratch and if a Liberal Nationals Government is elected we’re determined to invest and change that,” Mr Walsh said.
 
“In this digital age where the internet, smart phones and technology dominate, it is absolutely critical that families and businesses in rural and regional areas have reliable telephone and internet services.
 
“We’re determined to get rural and regional Victoria connected and if we are elected, we’ll get the job started with this $30 million investment.”
 
Caption: The Nationals Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull says a Liberal Nationals Government will invest $30 million over four years in telecommunications infrastructure that improves mobile coverage.
 
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Published in Media
Friday, 02 November 2018 16:03

Magpies to get lucky under Liberal Nationals

The Lucknow Recreation Reserve change rooms will undergo a $1.15 million redevelopment, bringing them up to modern standards, under an elected Liberal Nationals Government.
 
Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull today announced a Liberal Nationals Government will provide $650,000 towards the badly needed upgrades, partnering with East Gippsland Shire Council to deliver the project.
 
“This is one of the most outdated facilities across the East Gippsland Shire, with the change rooms and amenities being prioritised by Council for a major redevelopment,” he said.
 
“Having inspected the facility only recently, it seems there has been very little change since when I played and coached the footy club here about 20 years ago – and even then it was outdated.
 
“The rooms and amenities are used regularly by Lucknow’s football, netball and cricket clubs, school students and other groups, such as Relay for Life, so it is important we provide safe, compliant and modern facilities to continue to support active participation here.”
 
Lucknow Football Netball Club Treasurer, Tania McNamara, said part of the upgrades would include the establishment of netball changing facilities, which currently do not exist.
 
“This will allow us to attract new netballers from as young as five to the club and we believe modern facilities will help us retain all our active members, so we thank Tim for his support and this commitment,” Mrs McNamara said.
 
Mr Bull said sporting clubs played critical roles in country communities.
 
“I firmly believe one of the best ways we can address some of the problems we experience in wider society is to get people, especially young people, involved in and with sport, and to do that we must provide modern facilities,” he said.
 
Community sport in Victoria will get a massive $195 million boost under a Liberal Nationals Government through the Grassroots Sports Revival Fund.
 
The record investment includes funding to fix old and crumbling facilities at sports clubs in country Victoria and more money to help local clubs better cater for growth in women’s and junior sport.
 
Friday, November 2, 2018
Published in Media
Page 3 of 3