Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has urged East Gippslanders to sign the wild dog petition, saying the scrapping of the program will have a far greater impact on more than just our farmers.
“The direct effects on our farmers are obvious; the stock losses that impact their viability and ability to stay on the land, but there are wider ramifications,” said Mr Bull.
“It impacts on our local economies as well. When farming families are losing so many lambs, things get stretched. They will cut down on going out for dinner, buying new boots and general spending as they tighten the belt.
“Wild dogs are estimated to cost our agriculture sector just on $90 million per year and Victoria is a large slice of that. East Gippsland accounts for the biggest share of Victorian stock losses.
“In Gippsland alone, we have had around 500 dogs dispatched by doggers in the past two years and there is still more than ever.
“It is a large amount to be taking out of rural communities like ours,” Mr Bull said.
“In addition, you also have the cost of lamb at the butcher or supermarket. When any commodity is in reduced supply, the price goes up.
“The reason I have this petition running is the state government has provided no guarantees the program will continue unchanged past October. One of the options it is considering is removing controls on public land, which would be disastrous for a number of reasons.
“The first is you cannot rely on dog fences as some would suggest. Falling trees, sambar deer and wombats ensure even the best fences come down regularly. They are beneficial but can only be one part of the toolbox.
“It is also too late to control dogs once they are on private land. Our doggers need to be able to trap the dogs on trails and tracks they use adjacent to freehold. They can trap them in these places because they know they walk them. They cannot trap them in open paddocks.”
Mr Bull said it was imperative the government continues the wild dog program unchanged in this part of the state.
“To sign the petition just google “wild dog petition” and it will appear at the top of your search,” he said.

Monday, 29 July 2024

It is hard to believe our roads can get any worse – but they will – there is no other possible outcome, according to Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

He said the state government’s own assessment found a staggering 91 per cent of our roads are in ‘poor or very poor’ condition. So, did Jacinta Allan respond to this revelation?

“Figures released by Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, show resurfacing spending dropped from $201.4 million in 2022/23 to $37.6 million in 2023/24. This 81 per cent cut in funding to resurface roads on top of their already poor condition, can only ever end one way – even worse conditions.

“In addition, road maintenance funding (the money used to fill potholes and make temporary repairs) is less than it was in 2020 after a 45 per cent cut in that year.”

Mr Bull said Australian Community Media, which completed some additional research, revealed repairs dropped from more than nine million square metres in 2022/23 to just 343,000 square metres in 2023/24 – a 96 per cent decrease.

“Some of this can be attributed to the northern Victorian flood response, but with a raft of signs on our roads warning us to slow down due to a ‘rough surface ahead’ or ‘road hazard ahead’, the funding needed to be sustained rather than obliterated,” he said.

“Interestingly, in the state’s own survey, not one road was listed as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, with the remaining nine per cent only listed as ‘fair’.”

The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) conducted the survey for the Department of Transport across the state’s road network.

Mr Bull said the survey was undertaken using the NTRO’s iPAVE technology and was spruiked by the Labor Government in January last year as ‘world-first’, despite having been used by other states for years.

“The state has argued that unprecedented wet weather is a contributor, but this is not accurate and a poor excuse,” said Mr Bull.

“The survey listed only 707 km as flood affected and, apart from the northern Victorian floods, Bureau data shows the weather has been largely average over recent years.

“The real reason is simply this. Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and it’s Victorian motorists who are paying the price. The roads budget has been decimated to service an increasing debt ($25m per day in interest alone) and build a rail line worth $220 billion in Melbourne that we were told would cost $50 billion.

“Only the Liberals and Nationals will provide the investment our country roads need, as committed to last election with a promise of $10 billion over 10 years,” he said.

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Grassroots football and netball clubs across the state can apply for a share of $600,000 to improve their club as part of an annual road safety rewards grants program.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has kicked off this year’s TAC Club Rewards program, which encourages local club to promote road safety to members during the season.

Now in its fifth year, the program allows AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs to apply for up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives including club transport, new equipment and uniforms or facility upgrades.

So far this year, 128 people have died on Victoria’s roads, with more than half of these deaths occurring in regional areas.

The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said that repeated funding cuts by the Labor Government has seen regional roads deteriorate to an appalling standard, with new data showing 91 per cent of roads across the state are now classified as being in “poor” or “very poor” condition.

“As part of this year’s program, clubs will be asked to start conversations and be part of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, with the tagline – ‘Show up for your team. Slow down on the road’,” Mr Bull said.

"Road safety is paramount for all our local footballers and netballers who travel vast distances on our crumbling roads each week to attend training and games.

“In the interim, I will continue to campaign to have roads funding restored to improve the quality of our road surfaces,” he said.

More information on the Club Rewards Program can be found at tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/community/grants/tac-club-rewards-program.

Applications close on August 25, 2024.

Monday, 22 July 2024

The State Labor Government has been asked to overturn a heartless 55 per cent rise on public housing tenants in Heyfield.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said 10 families living in four and a half square metre one-bedroom public housing units in Heyfield received the shock of their lives when notified of the increase from $116 to $180 per week.

“I’ve been contacted by a number of residents from the housing complex who don’t know how they are going to manage when the rent is adjusted in August.

“The Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) correspondence to the tenants defends the charge, stating the rent hike has come about to reflect market value for rentals in Heyfield.

“However, it is clear they have no idea of the local market and I doubt whether any of these bureaucrats even know where Heyfield is, let alone been there,” Mr Bull said.

“It’s a case of the Labor government pinching money from pensioners to pay for its skyrocketing state debt as a result of it not being able to manage money, and astronomical cost blowouts on metro projects.

“They are so poor at managing finances we are in a position where the state will soon be paying $25 million a day in interest – it is just mind-blowing how incompetent they are.

“The rent is for a one-bedroom unit, constructed in 1985, which I am told still has the original carpet, thin glazing which causes heating difficulties, cracked internal walls and guttering that leaks when it rains.”

One tenant reported a DFFH spokesperson said the dwelling’s defects will not be fixed by this government, as it can’t afford to cover the costs of the maintenance required.

“This comment rings true, as I know of an elderly public housing resident in Cann River, who had been left without television reception for over six months.

“It is a sad day when the Victorian State Government comes after pensioners.

“I have asked Minister for Housing, Harriet Shing, to revisit this decision immediately,” Mr Bull said.

Monday, 15 July 2024

Grants of up to $150,000 are available through the VicHealth Growing Healthy Community Grants, with applications opening last week.
The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East and former VicHealth Board Member, Tim Bull, has invited community organisations to apply.
“These grants will help to deliver programs that support children, young people, and their families in maintaining good health and wellbeing as well as improving social connections,” Mr Bull said.
Mr Bull said there are three funding categories clubs can apply:

• Tier 1 ($10,000 - $35,000): To enhance the quality or reach of an existing initiative, such as training equipment, community outreach, or subsidising costs for program participants.

• Tier 2 ($35,001 - $50,000): For piloting new projects or expanding or enhancing the impact of an existing project.

• Tier 3 ($50,001 - $150,000): To support the growth and scale of proven, promising projects and to help foster sustainable impact beyond the funding period.
“Applicants are asked to demonstrate how their project will create more active, inclusive, and connected neighbourhoods through sport, recreation, arts, and community programs using local places and spaces,” Mr Bull said.
"Community involvement enhances young people's mental health, social skills, and sense of belonging while promoting physical activity and providing support networks. It also boosts self-esteem and builds resilience by exposing them to diverse perspectives and coping strategies.”
“I encourage local organisations to consider applying for this grant stream,” he said.
For more information on the VicHealth Growing Healthy Community Grants program, please visit the website.

8 July 2024

The Allan Labor Government must commit to maintaining public access and reject any proposal that would lock Victorians out of public land through the creation of new large scale National Parks.

Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said his colleague, Member for Eastern Victoria Region and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use, Melina Bath, is sponsoring an e-petition opposing any potential closure of public access in Victorian State Forests.

Mr Bull said the petition had received an enormously positive response and encouraged all who felt the same way to sign it.

“After the closure of Victoria’s Native Timber Industry, land set aside for timber harvesting and areas of recreation on public managed bushland may be locked under a new policy shift lead by Labor.

“The government must rule out the creation of any new National Parks and ensure locals aren’t locked out of the bush, as the reality is, they are not managing the Parks they have now.

“We need better public land management practices, not a lock up and leave it mentality.

“Our bush needs to remain accessible for public recreation, with activities such as prospecting, horse riding, free camping, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding and bushwalking on the chopping block if more National Parks areas are declared.

“Public land belongs to the people and should continue to do so,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull encourages bush users of all varieties to sign a parliamentary e-petition opposing any potential closure of public access to Victorian state forests.

A copy of the petition can be signed at his office in Main Street Bairnsdale or the e-petition can be signed online https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/stop-the-creation-of-any-new-national-parks/ .

Monday, 8 July 2024