The Allan Labor Government has finally agreed to scrap its shambolic free camping.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who has been calling for this since before Christmas, said it was one backflip he was pleased with.

“The Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, and I warned in November and December last year, that free camping would result in people booking multiple sites across different locations then picking one and not cancelling the others.

“We also said people will book and not bother to attend if the weather turned bad, or there was a change of plans, again without cancelling.

“The reason we knew this would occur, is it is exactly what happened in other States where they made this change and had to alter the approach,” said Mr Bull.

“However, rather than take notice of what occurred elsewhere and fix it, the Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, decided to attack myself and Melina, then sat back while over Christmas we had 60% occupancy rates in a period when our camping areas are always full.

“Following the Christmas holiday debacle, we warned him again, saying we did not want a repeat over Easter, but nothing was changed and the same thing happened again.”

Mr Bull said this week the Minister finally ate some humble pie with Parks releasing a statement that read “the return to half-price camping ensures more Victorians can get out into the great outdoors.”

“Half price camping was one of the solutions we suggested would fix the problem in November.

“It will stop people booking and not turning up. It is the one piece of good news to come out of the Budget, a backflip to cancel a bad program,” he said.

Ms Bath said free camping in national parks was intended to encourage more Victorians to holiday in the regions, yet it did the opposite.

“We warned from the outset that this policy was fundamentally flawed. We made it abundantly clear to the Minister this scheme would damage small businesses and the regional economy which relies on the peak tourism season for survival, and that’s exactly what happened,” Ms Bath said.

Monday, 26 May 2025

A petition bearing over 800 signatures has been tabled in State Parliament asking the Allan Labor Government when it will deliver on its 2020 commitment to build a shared bicycle / pedestrian pathway between Marlo and Cape Conran.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who tabled the petition in Parliament, said after five years the project should be well and truly finished, but it has not even commenced.

“In September 2020, the Labor Government announced $7.15 million from bushfire recovery funding, along with $6 million from the Victorian Great Outdoors program for these projects.

“Like many other promises, here we are five years later without a sod being turned and in a complete state of limbo with both projects.

“Both Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, and myself lobbied hard for these projects post the fires to assist in our recovery and making sure infrastructure was built that would improve our region as a destination.

“In making the announcement, then Environment Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, said ‘connecting essential services to the site will protect the environment, make the tourism offer sustainable into the future, and provide opportunities to improve the quality of service Parks Victoria offers at Cape Conran Coastal Park’.

“Labor is good at putting out press releases, but very poor at following through with any action and we have seen that in relation to many issues.

“What is disappointing is Labor has two Upper House MPs and Cape Conran is in their electorate, but both Harriet Shing and Tom McIntosh remain completely silent on the matters of undelivered promises.

“Five years on we have nothing done and no movement and I hope the tabling of this petition puts some wheels in motion,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has tabled a petition bearing over 800 signatures in Victorian Parliament calling on the Allan Labor Government to deliver its 2020 commitment to build the Marlo to Cape Conran shared path.

Monday, 26 May 2025

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is undertaking a detailed review of the road conditions at “Forestec corner” in Kalimna West after representations from local State and Federal MPs, Tim Bull and Darren Chester - on the back of a spate of wet weather accidents.

The two MPs met with first responders last year and wrote to State Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, who put in temporary speed reductions and committed to the wider assessment.

Mr Bull and Mr Chester pointed out to the Minister almost all of the accidents had occurred in wet weather, but were advised by DTP an interim inspection found “the road surface and drainage at this location both appear to be functioning as expected”.

The more in-depth review committed to by DTP will see consultation with relevant stakeholders and road safety partners, including local police. It is understood in the case of some accidents, driving at inappropriate speeds in wet conditions has been a contributing factor.

Mr Bull said the number of accidents in this specific location in wet conditions is too great for there not to be an underlying issue and he was pleased the detailed review had been committed to get to the bottom of the problem.

Mr Chester added, for too long our emergency services first responders have been called to this location in wet conditions and it is clear a permanent remedy is required to ensure the spate of accidents does not continue.

Caption: The Nationals’ State MP, Tim Bull, pictured at the dangerous section of the Princes Highway at Kalimna West where a spate of wet weather accidents has occurred. This segment of road is now under review by the DTP, following urgent calls for action from both State and Federal Members Tim Bull and Darren Chester.

Monday, 26 May 2025

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said Tuesday’s State Budget capped off a disappointing week for rural and regional Victorians.

“Firstly, we had the passing of the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund that will rip $765 million a year out of the pockets of Victorian farmers, households and businesses, a tax simply to cover the government’s financial mismanagement.

“Then yesterday we had a budget that has cut agriculture funding by $77.6 million (almost 13 per cent) amid a crippling drought in many areas of the state. The regional development allocation is down 17 per cent from $296.7 million to $245.6 million and road maintenance, the jobs fund and industry and small business have all had major reductions.

“These are the funding streams that assist rural and regional Victoria. This government cuts them while hitting us up with a new tax, which will take nearly $4.5 million annually out of East Gippsland alone.

“Perhaps the most disappointing area is roads, which are in a state of disrepair and needed a major funding boost. To have a further cut in real terms is very disappointing for rural and regional motorists and freight and bus companies,” he said.

Mr Bull said the reality of the situation is you are never going to get a good budget when the bottom line reads the state is heading to a debt of $192 billion and interest repayments of $28.9 million per day, or $1.2 million per hour.

He said one piece of positive news was the announcement to scrap the shambolic free camping program.

“The Budget papers reveal the government will make camping half price, which is a much better outcome and one of the solutions we suggested to the rampant ghost camping.

“This will stop people booking sites and not turning up.

“People with bookings will again have some financial skin in the game, lessening the ghost camping problem and allowing more families to enjoy the outdoors, rather than having multiple sites unoccupied during peak periods.

“I am pleased to see they have at least listened in this regard,” he said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, reviewing this year’s disappointing Victorian State Budget.

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

This National Volunteer Week, State Member for Gippsland East and Shadow Minister for Volunteers, Tim Bull, acknowledges the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to support local organisations, charities, and emergency services.

“With this year’s theme, Connecting Communities, we recognise the vital role volunteers play in fostering inclusivity and helping communities thrive,” Mr Bull said.

"Our volunteers play an essential role in creating a more connected and compassionate community.

"Their efforts, whether in sporting groups, improving community safety, environmental projects, or providing support to vulnerable residents, have a profound impact on the lives of so many."

Mr Bull expressed his appreciation for those who dedicate their time to volunteering and encouraged the wider community to show their support.

"Every volunteer deserves recognition for the selfless work they do. This week is about celebrating them and also inspiring others to get involved," he said.

He further emphasised the importance of volunteering in regional communities like East Gippsland.

"Without volunteers, many local services and sporting clubs simply wouldn’t exist. Their dedication strengthens the fabric of our community and ensures vital programs continue to operate," Mr Bull said.

National Volunteer Week runs from May 19 – 25 and is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible work of volunteers across our communities.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, pictured with Bairnsdale CFA volunteers on Australia Day.

Tuesday, 20 May 2025

The State Government’s overdue drought support package, announced late last week, has overlooked impacted areas in the north of East Gippsland Shire. Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, raised the matter with the Agriculture Minister, Ros Spence, on Friday.

“While much of East Gippsland has fared quite well, it is incredibly dry in some of the northern areas of the electorate,” said Mr Bull, who cited Omeo and Benambra regions as just one example,” Mr Bull said.

“This package is something the Victorian Farmers Federation has called ‘well short of what is required, especially when compared with more substantial efforts in other states such as South Australia’. But to be excluded is an even bigger kick in the guts.

“I have contacted the Minister and asked for urgent consideration to have the drought impacted areas in the north of the electorate included, and while it will be considered, I eagerly await a response.

“Bigger picture, the $15.9 million package is simply not enough and is too restrictive, capped at $5,000 per grant, and with strict conditions that prevent farmers from using it for the most basic and urgent needs like purchasing feed and water.

“The South Australian Labor Government, facing a similar situation, provided $73 million to its producers and on-farm support is allowed.”

Mr Bull said the hypocritical nature of this government was that on the same day it announced this, it also passed legislation that will hit farmers with a 150 per cent increase through the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

“Talk about give with one hand and take with the other – and on the same day, but of course this is what happens when you have a State Government that cannot manage money and has a spiralling debt that will hit $187 billion with interest repayments alone (not capital repayments) of $1 million per hour or $1 billion every six weeks.

“The $15.9 million for farmers is not even a full day of their own interest repayments on the state debt,” he said.

Monday, 19 May 2025