August 2018
Friday, 31 August 2018 16:27
Labor missing the mark on rail
Labor’s plans to build a rail tunnel through Melbourne’s suburbs – to cost around $50 billion and unlikely to be completed for another 30 years – is a slap in the face for East Gippsland commuters.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the region is being snubbed by the Andrews Labor Government, which despite its willingness to spend big, has not showed any interest in improving travel for East Gippsland rail passengers.
“Labor still has not matched the Liberal Nationals’ $633 million commitment to replace all long-haul rolling stock with new train sets,” Mr Bull said.
“We have committed to replacing the entire long-haul fleet on the Bairnsdale line with new-generation trains that have greater carrying capacity, are capable of faster speeds, are more reliable and come with an air conditioning service that actually works,” Mr Bull said.
“Since March we have been calling on Daniel Andrews to match our commitment, but instead he chooses to ignore East Gippsland passengers in favour of those in Melbourne.
“On top of this, Labor has been ridiculing our plan to speed up services on the Gippsland line by committing $8 million to develop a business case for a dedicated line.”
Mr Bull said the Bairnsdale line was the worst performing in Victoria, with recent figures showing only 49.3 per cent of services arrived on time.
“Our community has been crying out for reliable services that don’t see us arriving late or constantly shunted onto replacement buses, but instead Labor is throwing money into the suburbs and ignoring rural and regional Victorians,” he said.
Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation, Peter Walsh, said Daniel Andrews was ignoring the needs of regional passengers yet again.
“Regional Victoria needs a modern regional rail network if we are going to properly decentralise our population, but this city-centric Labor Government can’t see past Melbourne’s tram tracks,” Mr Walsh said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the Andrews Labor Government needs to show more interest in East Gippsland’s rail passengers in the wake of its commitment to build a multi-billion-dollar rail tunnel through Melbourne’s suburbs.
Friday, August 31, 2018
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Thursday, 30 August 2018 13:16
Bully backs Secondary College
A Liberal Nationals Government will provide the $15 million required to complete the new Bairnsdale Secondary College.
Shadow Minister for Education Tim Smith and Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull today announced the Liberal Nationals would fund the Stage Two works at the region’s largest school, if elected in November.
Mr Bull said he believed this was the biggest priority for our region at the present time.
“The former Liberal Nationals government funded and completed the first stage of upgrades at the College and I’m pleased to be here today delivering on our promise to finish what we started,” Mr Bull said.
“The structural deficiencies of the ageing buildings, flooding and mould have been of significant concern for the College council and leadership team and also very costly to repair, only to be re-damaged when it rains.”
These buildings will be replaced in Stage Two.
“Unfortunately Labor has ignored this project and despite promising to visit after invitations from both myself and the school council, the Minister has not bothered to make time in the past four years, which is deplorable,” Mr Bull said.
Mr Smith said despite the vital need for upgrades, Labor continued to ignore calls from the school and community to fund Stage Two.
“This is a great school achieving great things for the East Gippsland community, but students and teachers have continually been let down by a city-centric Labor Government which has failed to provide our future leaders with a quality learning environment,” he said.
Mr Bull said with a growing number of students attending the school, and the problems with leaks and ageing buildings only getting worse, the works were desperately needed.
“Both myself and the school council have continually raised these issues, so Labor’s failure to show any interest has certainly not been due to lack of awareness,” he said.
“The Minister said in February 2015 he would come to the school when his diary permitted, but three and a half years later we are still waiting, which just proves again how little regard Daniel Andrews and his Labor Government have for our community.”
Thursday, August 30, 2018
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Tuesday, 28 August 2018 15:48
MPs visit drought-affected farms
On-farm discussions with drought-impacted farmers were the focus when Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford and Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull took to the road today.
“Having raised the concerning seasonal conditions in Parliament over the past fortnight and inviting the Minister to come to the region, it was pleasing this came to fruition today and it was great that our Federal Member, Darren Chester, was also able to join us,” Mr Bull said.
“We visited the properties of Anthony Snow and Dennis and Rick Blackshaw, where we were joined by other farmers from as far as Orbost and Wellington Shire.
“The message was clear that although things aren’t great at present, we desperately need rain in the next 4-6 weeks to avert a far more serious situation. The greatest cause of concern is the lack of fodder going forward, with much of south-eastern Australia’s reserves having gone to New South Wales.”
Mr Bull said discussions were constructive and it was pleasing to hear the Minister get a first-hand experience of some of the on-ground problems.
“For instance, on the Blackshaw farm in particular we saw the mobs of kangaroos grazing in paddocks that have been locked up, while the owner has been waiting almost 10 weeks for his permit to control wildlife to come through,” he said.
“Every passing day he is losing this critical pasture.
“The need to address this with more resources, increase rural financial counselling staff and start to assess other feed sources and options were all key points both myself and the farmers were able to raise with the Minister.
“I just wanted our plight put on the radar as all you often hear about in the media is NSW and Queensland and we need some focus down here,” Mr Bull said.
Minister Pulford told landholders she would maintain a close eye on the seasonal conditions in East Gippsland.
“I thank the farming families for opening up their properties, being so accommodating and explaining their situation,” she said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, and Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, chat with drought-affected farmers in Bengworden today. Minister Pulford was in East Gippsland after receiving a formal invitation from Mr Bull.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
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Sunday, 26 August 2018 09:24
Minister and Shadow drought visits
Both the Minister and Shadow Minister for Agriculture will come to East Gippsland in the next fortnight, having taken up invitations from Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, to visit our drought-affected communities.
“Having asked Minister Jaala Pulford twice in the past two parliamentary sitting weeks to come and discuss the dry conditions and challenges local farmers are experiencing, it was pleasing to receive a call from her on Friday night to say she will visit Tuesday,” Mr Bull said.
“An itinerary will be finalised tomorrow (Monday), but I would hope we have the opportunity to visit the Tambo Valley and Orbost areas at least.
“I also have a commitment for Shadow Minister Peter Walsh to visit and our intention at this stage is to attend the cattle sale at Bairnsdale on September 14 when a number of local farmers will be present.
“One area I would like some immediate action on is addressing the delay in approving Authority to Control Wildlife permits, with kangaroos and ducks causing considerable problems as our farmers try and get critical spring crops growing.
“Our farmers are waiting four-to-six weeks to get these permits, which is far too long and as a result, their crops are being destroyed.
“While the Federal Government controls support packages, if we don’t get rain soon, I would also like to initiate discussions on flexibility around household utility bills, like water.
“With New South Wales in particular attracting significant media attention amidst the current drought – and rightly so – I don’t want the State Government to forget that our farmers here are also doing it tough.
“I look forward to having both the Minister and Shadow Minister in East Gippsland as we need to put our situation at the forefront of their thinking,” Mr Bull said.
“Having asked Minister Jaala Pulford twice in the past two parliamentary sitting weeks to come and discuss the dry conditions and challenges local farmers are experiencing, it was pleasing to receive a call from her on Friday night to say she will visit Tuesday,” Mr Bull said.
“An itinerary will be finalised tomorrow (Monday), but I would hope we have the opportunity to visit the Tambo Valley and Orbost areas at least.
“I also have a commitment for Shadow Minister Peter Walsh to visit and our intention at this stage is to attend the cattle sale at Bairnsdale on September 14 when a number of local farmers will be present.
“One area I would like some immediate action on is addressing the delay in approving Authority to Control Wildlife permits, with kangaroos and ducks causing considerable problems as our farmers try and get critical spring crops growing.
“Our farmers are waiting four-to-six weeks to get these permits, which is far too long and as a result, their crops are being destroyed.
“While the Federal Government controls support packages, if we don’t get rain soon, I would also like to initiate discussions on flexibility around household utility bills, like water.
“With New South Wales in particular attracting significant media attention amidst the current drought – and rightly so – I don’t want the State Government to forget that our farmers here are also doing it tough.
“I look forward to having both the Minister and Shadow Minister in East Gippsland as we need to put our situation at the forefront of their thinking,” Mr Bull said.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
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Monday, 20 August 2018 10:39
Bull backs bunker upgrades
Upgrading the Mallacoota War Bunker Museum would help it cater for an increasing number of visitors, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.
“Having visited the centre twice in the past year, I have been able to view the great display of the area’s unique World War II history,” he said.
Speaking in State Parliament recently, Mr Bull said he had been “taken by the dedication of the volunteers but also the need to upgrade the facility without compromising its unique feel”.
“A new administration area, which would include a kitchen, an updated barbecue area, amenities upgrade and a generator room, would greatly assist the volunteers to go about the work they do and it is something I will be working on” he said.
Run by the Mallacoota and District Historical Society, the museum is located in a large underground concrete bunker from where anti-submarine operations were conducted throughout WWII.
“It was also the headquarters of RAAF coastal intelligence activity in the region,” Mr Bull said.
“I have a real interest in wartime history, having trekked the Kokoda Trail twice, visited Beersheba and Pearl Harbour as well as the Anzac Centre in Albany from where our troops departed, so this bit of history on our doorstep is certainly worth recognising.
“A lot of our wartime history focusses on things that happened in faraway Europe or the Pacific Islands, but the Mallacoota and District Historical Society has done a wonderful job of preserving and honouring the story of the very real action that occurred right here in East Gippsland.”
The Bunker’s volunteer and membership numbers are increasing, with it visited by more than 3000 people annually. It is open Tuesdays from 9.30am with last entry at 11.30am, and Sundays from 1pm with last entry at 3pm.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, pictured with Mallacoota War Bunker treasurer, Pierre Forcier, is supporting calls for funding to upgrade the Mallacoota War Bunker Museum.
Monday, August 20, 2018
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Thursday, 16 August 2018 09:19
Shining a light on Boisdale
Boisdale Briagolong Football Netball Club will tackle its opposition under new lights if the Liberal Nationals are elected to government in November.
The Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, this evening announced a Liberal Nationals Government would provide $100,000 to partner with Wellington Shire Council to provide a major lighting infrastructure upgrade at Boisdale Recreation Reserve.
“This lighting system means Boisdale Briagolong will get more out of their training and, in the future, gives them the opportunity to attract night games to the oval, which hasn’t been possible before,” Mr Bull said.
“The club and recreation reserve committee are working with Wellington Shire Council to develop plans to improve the facility and will invest their own funds and in-kind labour towards a larger proposed upgrade, and for this they are to be commended.
“The club has worked hard in recent years to build their membership, most recently with the introduction of women’s and girls’ football teams. By increasing training standards with this new lighting, we hope to see even more people signing up to the club.
“I am aware that there is an application pending with the Latrobe Valley Authority for a more general upgrade, which I strongly support. However, tonight’s announcement is guaranteeing that we will ensure the new lights are delivered if elected in November.”
Shadow Minister for Sport, Danny O’Brien, said unlike the Andrews Labor Government, the Liberal Nationals would support grassroots sporting clubs.
“Boisdale Briagolong FNC plays a significant role in the local community and unlike Labor, which chose to give a $225 million free kick to the AFL to upgrade Etihad Stadium, the Liberal Nationals will support grassroots sports,” Mr O’Brien said.
Club vice president, Ryan Evans, said the installation of new lights would go a long way towards maintaining and improving participation levels.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, pictured with BBFNC committee members Mick McQuillen and Brett Lanigan, tonight announced a Liberal Nationals Government would provide $100,000 to upgrade the lights at Boisdale Recreation Reserve.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
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