A Liberal Nationals Government will crack down on livestock theft in East Gippsland, pledging to establish a statewide Livestock and Rural Crime Squad.

 

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said if elected in November, the Liberal Nationals would work with Victoria Police to establish the squad, which would include 20 new specialist rural crime investigators, boosting police numbers in that field by 40 per cent.

 

“As a country MP I hear first-hand just how much devastation stock theft causes in our rural communities and I have had a number of local farmers raise concerns who have called for this specialised squad and I am pleased to say we will deliver it if elected in November,” Mr Bull said.

 

“Local police and the existing Agricultural Liaison Officers are doing a good job, but it is clear they need more support given the instances of rural crime taking place across Victoria and particularly here in East Gippsland.”

 

Mr Bull said instances of stock theft rose 40 per cent in 2017 and between April 2017 and March 2018 there were 232 instances of ‘Burglary/Break and Enter’ and ‘Theft’ offences recorded where livestock were stolen. Just 10 of these crimes resulted in an arrest or summons.

 

The specialist unit will provide a new level of dedicated support to rural communities, with the final operational structure to be determined by Victoria Police.

 

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh, said Labor had failed to act on rural crime.

 

“A Liberal Nationals Government will send a strong message to potential criminals that if they are thinking about farm and livestock theft you will get caught and you will get punished,” Mr Walsh said.

 

“Victoria’s agriculture industry can’t afford another four years of Daniel Andrews and Labor’s lack of action on farm and livestock theft.”

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says a Liberal Nationals Government will establish a Livestock and Rural Crime Squad.

 

It’s time to light up the Boisdale Recreation Reserve, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

 

“There is an application pending with the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) for upgrades to the reserve and I would hope they will give it the green light,” Mr Bull said.

 

“Meeting with Boisdale-Briagolong Football Netball Club (BBFNC) and the reserve’s committee of management this week and hearing of their plans, improvements to the lighting infrastructure and change rooms would benefit all users.

 

“Boisdale Recreation Reserve, together with the football netball club and Wellington Shire Council, has done a great job in developing a masterplan and from that their top priorities include a lighting upgrade and change room redevelopments.

 

“With the committee having applied for funding last week, I hope the LVA now views this submission favourably so footballers of all ages can continue to enjoy playing at this facility with better changing facilities and improved lighting.

 

“A lighting upgrade would also provide a better experience for those who contribute off-field and locals who attend training, while also opening pathways for night matches in the future.”

 

BBFNC vice president, Ryan Evans, said providing updated and compliant facilities would go a long way towards maintaining and improving participation levels, which has been a focus for the club in recent times with the addition of women’s and Youth Girls’ teams.

 

“We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive club, however the state of the lighting impacts on our ability to train all of our teams appropriately,” he said.

 

The reserve is used by BBFNC, Boisdale Junior Football Club, other local community groups, schools and the general public as an active recreation space.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, pictured with BBFNC vice president, Ryan Evans, and Boisdale Recreation Reserve president, Daryl Bedggood, says upgrades to the reserve, including the lighting infrastructure, are required.

 

A Liberal Nationals Government will ensure more young East Gippslanders have the chance to participate in Youth Parliament to influence and develop legislation that matters to them.

 

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull and Shadow Minister for Young Victorians Steph Ryan have announced a Liberal Nationals Government will provide $120,000 a year for four years to the YMCA to run the Youth Parliament program – an increase of $20,000 a year compared to current arrangements.

 

Mr Bull said the funding boost will ensure more young Victorians with special needs and from disadvantaged backgrounds can participate.

 

In particular, it will help the YMCA support participants who are deaf or hard of hearing and help young people travelling from rural and regional areas.

 

“Since its establishment, Youth Parliament has provided the opportunity for 3000 young Victorians to speak out on issues important to them,” Mr Bull said.

 

“This funding boost ensures that even more young people can add their voice and be part of this strong tradition.”

 

Shadow Minister for Young Victorians Steph Ryan said young people had good ideas about how to improve our state.

 

“Twenty-five bills developed and debated by Youth Parliament have gone on to become legislation,” she said.

 

“Empowering young people and taking their concerns seriously strengthens our democracy and makes today’s decision-makers accountable to the future leaders of our state.”

 

Youth Parliament was established in 1987 and is run by the YMCA in conjunction with the Victorian Government.

 

Each year, it enables 120 students aged 16 to 25 to undertake leadership training, team building and other activities. Teams of six raise $4000 to attend.

 

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Nationals colleague and Shadow Minister for Young Victorians, Steph Ryan, have announced a Liberal Nationals Government will provide funding for the Youth Parliament program.

 

Nominations for the Ambulance Service Medal Award are now open and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is encouraging local residents to put forward the name of someone they think deserves recognition.

 

“Our local paramedics, Ambulance Victoria staff members and auxiliary volunteers all do a fantastic job helping people when they are most in need, working long hours and often putting themselves at risk for the sake of others,” Mr Bull said.

 

“The Ambulance Service Medal is the most prestigious means of recognising distinguished service by these men and women and the awards are made by the Governor-General of Australia as part of the Australian honours system.”

 

Mr Bull said the award was intended for frontline paramedics who provide service directly to the community, particularly in times of emergency or disaster. Full-time and part-time paramedics and volunteer members of Ambulance Victoria are eligible.

 

“Potential nominees could include someone who has provided exceptional training or public education in community first aid or someone who has developed a new system for medical care or transport.

 

“It could also be for someone who has delivered outstanding leadership to support the development of others within the organisation.”

 

Mr Bull says nomination forms, which include assessment criteria, can be collected from his office at 1278 Main Street, Bairnsdale. Nominations close Friday, July 20.