June 2021
Tuesday, 15 June 2021 11:17

Business need more support

More flexible business restrictions and stronger supports have been called by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Bull said only around 20% of businesses were qualifying for support as restrictions were simply too tight.

“For example, the smaller operators who aren’t registered for GST are excluded and the State Government has not given any explanation other than it will cost too much to include them.

“You can have a $3 billion cost over run on the metro tunnel, but can’t find a few million to support our smaller businesses.

“What they are in effect saying is we will shut you down, even though you are 300 kilometres from the nearest case, and we will exclude you from any compensation. It is just not fair,” said Mr Bull.

“The other issue is the new venue limits, which restrict the ability of pubs and clubs to operate.

“At present we have an indoor venue limit of 75, whereas in this stage of lockdown last time we had room limits of 50 provided you had the floorspace of one person per four square metres.

“For instance, this allowed 200 people into the Bairnsdale RSL as they had the floorspace. It worked well and no outbreaks occurred from this.

“However, now instead of room limits, we have a venue limit of 75 indoors. This is okay for cafés and restaurants, but not for our bigger pubs and clubs.

“To make matters worse, they are then excluded from supports because the government is saying they can open for business.

“It’s time to put back in place the restrictions that worked last time and allow these venues to open and people to get back to work,” he said.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull with Manager of the Bairnsdale RSL, Shane Pendergast, one of many hospitality venues, restricted by the venue capacity limits.

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Published in Media
Monday, 07 June 2021 16:48

2020 a horror year for deaths on East Gippsland roads

Transport Accident Commission (TAC) road fatality statistics show that for the 12-month period to December 2020, East Gippsland recorded nine lives lost, the second worst result for road fatalities for all Victorian municipalities in 2020.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says that the TAC data also shows the road toll for country Victorians has dropped only 20 per cent since 2000, while metro fatalities have dropped 47 per cent.

“I have written to the Roads Minister asking that he visit East Gippsland to discuss with our local Police and Emergency Services and the authorities responsible for our roads why we have experienced such a disproportionate number of road deaths,” said Mr Bull.

“Only Greater Geelong, with 10 lives lost, had a higher death toll, but it has more than five times our population.

“We need to better understand the factors that have contributed to this terrible result in East Gippsland last year, is it driver fatigue, inexperience, dangerous road conditions, delays in medical treatment or a combination of all of these?

“One fatality is one too many, whether on country roads or roads in Melbourne.

“The Government spends millions on road safety and improvements, but it’s not making a big difference in the lives of all Victorians.

“Each life lost is another family torn apart and changed forever, so I urge the Minister to undertake a detailed investigation of last year’s fatal accidents in East Gippsland and share that information with us,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull, pictured inspecting a new safety barrier installation at Cann River, has invited the Roads Minister to East Gippsland to discuss last year’s horror road toll.

Monday, 7 June 2021

 

Published in Media
Wednesday, 02 June 2021 13:18

Restrictions for Regional Victoria from June 4 - June 11

Published in Media
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