Local residents would have noticed a visible police presence in the Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance central business districts over the past few weeks.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he had been in discussions with Superintendent Mark Edwards after reports of antisocial behaviour at some locations in the two townships.

“Superintendent Edwards explained to me the process around the police’s community issues register. He said the Neighbourhood Policing shifts are effective in focussing on issues around the CBD. These patrols occur generally on foot, and on occasion bike patrols are conducted,” Mr Bull said.

“I know these patrols have been well received by the community as they also give members of the public and business owners the chance to engage with their local police, so if you see them out and about, feel free to engage as they’re a critical part of our community.”

Mr Bull said his office had received feedback from a handful of business owners around some incidents that had occurred, and having raised this with police, was pleased they were across the issues and had either dealt with or were continuing to deal with them.

“Speaking with the Superintendent, police encourage public feedback when incidents occur, so they can be across any community needs and respond appropriately.

“The reality is many of the people in question need assistance and support and the limitations of local mental health services.

“It was also pleasing to hear we have additional police on the way with an increase in staffing at both Lakes and Bairnsdale in the upcoming period,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Victoria Police’s Superintendent Mark Edwards (pictured) says Neighbourhood Policing shifts are focussing on addressing anti-social issues in the Bairnsdale CBD.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging local students to enter the annual 2024 Parliament Prize competition.
“Entries are now open for Years five – 12 to enter this year’s Parliament Prize where applicants are being asked what they would say to Parliament if they were an MP,” Mr Bull said.
“To enter, pupils need to record a video of themselves delivering a Member’s Statement that they would make to Parliament.
“A Member’s Statement is an opportunity for elected members to make a brief statement of up to 90-seconds in State Parliament on matters of interest or concern to them and those living in their electorate.
“In the last couple of years, two East Gippslanders have been selected as prize finalists, which is proof our young people have great ideas, and their contributions are of a high quality,” he said.
The Parliament Prize competition is open to all Victorian primary and secondary school students, with age categories of years five to six, years seven to nine and years 10-12.
A prize of $500 and a commemorative trophy will be awarded to the first-placed entry in each category.
There will also be prizes of $250 to the second-placed entries and $125 to the third-placed entries in each age group.
An award of $1,000 will be made to each first-placed student's school, which will ideally be used to promote civics and citizenship and law-related education within these schools, at the schools’ discretion.
For more information on the competition including entry terms and conditions visit https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/teach-and-learn/parliament-prize/
Entries close 5pm, Friday 14 June 2024.

Caption: Gippsland East State MP, Tim Bull with St Brendan’s Lakes Entrance student, Lyra Nowell, who placed third in last year’s Parliament Prize for years five to six.

Monday, 27 May 2024

The few V/Line rail services from Bairnsdale that have buffet amenities will be removed when upgrades to the Bairnsdale Station stabling yard are completed.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the Minister is stealing the only remaining buffet services by stealth, despite the continued calls from the rail travelling community for the return of the much-loved buffet car.

“Long have we emphasised the importance of having café facilities on board our V/Line trains, as the almost four-hour long journey is a long way to go without something to eat or drink,” Mr Bull said.

“While vending machine snacks can be purchased at the station, a bag of salt and vinegar chips and a can of coke at 6:15am may not be the desired snack people want for breakfast.

“VLocity carriages have the capacity to house buffet facilities, and I was fortunate to catch one of the very few trains equipped with this last year, however the Minister refuses to provide Bairnsdale services with this option for travellers.

“The Minister touts the new VLocity carriages are more comfortable and serve the travelling community better – I’m sure East Gippslanders would agree they are in fact a poorer substitute.

“Adding insult to injury, Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, said the upgraded Gippsland line will future-proof rail services for further growth along the network, however, to date, she has failed to meet the current rail demand by adding an additional morning service departing from Bairnsdale that will connecting with existing timetabled trains in Sale or Traralgon.

“We continue to be railroaded by a government that can’t manage money and refuses to govern for all of Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is concerned Bairnsdale rail passengers will lose the ability to purchase food and beverages on trains on the Bairnsdale line when the locomotive hauled trains are completely replaced by the VLocity fleet once the Bairnsdale stabling project is completed.

Nationals State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging residents to check if their devices will still work, as Telstra prepares to shut down its 3G network in August this year.
Telstra was initially scheduled to close its 3G network and migrate over to 4G coverage at the end of June 2024, however, it has extended the network closure by two months to allow households extra time to prepare for the transition.
“If you currently have 3G only devices, they will no longer work after the August deadline,” Mr Bull said.
“This could impact your phone, tablet, medical devices, security systems, and more, so it is important that you are prepared beforehand.
“It may also impact your ability to make emergency calls on older mobile phones, so I urge East Gippsland residents to make sure their devices are compatible before the migration occurs. It is also important to check up on elderly family and neighbours, who may need assistance with accessing this information.”
If you’re a Telstra customer, or if you have a device that uses Telstra’s mobile network, you can find out if your mobile phone is impacted by texting ‘3’ to 3498.
Telstra will then respond to let you know the status of the device you’re messaging from, and whether you need to take any action.
If you’re using a device to monitor health such as medical alarms, security, or other remote safety situations, and they’re currently using the 3G 2100 MHz layer, they’ll stop working as the network is closed.
Information regarding the device’s compatibility with the new signal can be found on accompanying paperwork from the manufacturer, or by contacting the provider.
Mr Bull said there are a number of areas within the electorate that access the 3G signal exclusively and has raised these concerns with Telstra directly about future connectivity in these regions.
“Telstra has committed to providing 4G coverage to around 95% of the areas that currently receive 3G before the August closure, however I’ve requested that in bush fire prone areas like East Gippsland this needs to be 100% of areas,” Mr Bull said.
More information can be found at: 3G closure - what do I need to know? - Telstra

Monday, 13 May 2024

New land tax thresholds introduced by the Allan Labor Government has seen many East Gippsland landholders receiving a land tax bill for the first time this year.

However, Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull is urging landholders to check their liability before paying, as reports of land tax bills being incorrectly issued to people, organisations and community groups eligible for exemptions come to light.

Mr Bull said the Nationals opposed the legislation that was rammed through State Parliament last year, that saw the valuation threshold for land tax exemption reduce from $300,000 to just $50,000.

“This has led to many people getting a land tax bill for the first time which has been shocking to many households battling the cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Bull said.

“It is important to note that while you may no longer be eligible for an exemption based on property value, there are other criteria for exemption.

“The most common exemption is if the property is your principal place of residence or if the land is used for primary production, however there are also other exemptions that certain community groups and not-for-profit organisations may be eligible for.

“I am urging anyone who has received a land tax bill for the first time and is unsure of their rights to make enquiries and ensure that they are not paying tax they shouldn’t be.”

Information on land tax including how to apply for an exemption can be found online at www.sro.vic.gov.au/land-tax/land-tax-exemptions or by contacting the State Revenue Office (SRO) on 13 21 61 during standard business hours.

Mr Bull said new land tax charges, which the Allan Labor Government says is a key element in its COVID Debt Repayment Plan, are unfair without bills being sent to people and organisations who should be exempt.

“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis it is wrong that everyday Victorians are being punished with increased taxes to make up for Labor’s inability to manage money.

“With Victorians already paying the highest taxes per person of any state in Australia according to the ABS, including the highest property taxes per capita in the nation, I want to ensure that landholders know of any exemptions they are entitled to.”

Monday, 13 May 2024

Victoria’s 2024/25 State Budget released today has not delivered the funding to fix our country roads, with the maintenance budget still over 16 per cent below what it was in 2020.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he was hoping for the massive investment, but it was simply not forthcoming.

“Our roads have never been in worse shape and when we needed a major injection of funds, it is just not there. This is a government that cannot manage money and Victoria is paying the price.

“In addition, we have the agriculture and tourism budgets slashed by massive amounts and, in a period when crime was spiralling state-wide, community crime prevention has been cut by 46 per cent.

“Even with all the cuts, state deficit is still forecast to rise to $188 billion by 2027/28 – an increase of $10 billion on last year’s forecast, and this will see interest repayments hit $26 million per day. That’s right, per day.

Mr Bull accused the government of being deceitful in its announcement of the $400 school saving bonus for families of students.

“They make this announcement with bells and whistles but fail to explain that while they give with one hand, they take more with the other – much more.

“What our Premier failed to mention is the fire services levy and waste levies are increasing, and land tax, stamp duty and payroll tax are also increasing.

“They waste money on projects like the Suburban Rail Loop, which is more than $170 billion over budget from its original $50 billion costing – and then come after more of yours.

“There is just no excuse for that level of incompetence,” he said.

Tuesday, 7 May 2024