Calls for action on police numbers in East Gippsland have received a ‘pathetic’ response from the State Government, according to Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall.
“I raised this matter in Parliament last month (March) because of concerns by constituents,” Mr Hall said. “The response of the Police and Emergency Services Minister has been to handball it back to the Police Command, and it is a hospital handpass at that.
“The police force can only do what it can do with existing resources; I believe in this case there is a clear need for the State Government to provide more resources to the police force to let them do their job.”
The response from the Minister said, in part, “decisions on the placement of police throughout the state are operational matters and are made by the police command on the basis of assessed need. It is important that this process is not subject to political interference.”
But Mr Hall said the issue was not one of interference; rather it was about resourcing.
Mr Hall raised the matter in Parliament last month following a tour of East Gippsland and discussions with local community members.
At that time only three of the eight positions at Orbost were filled and the Police Association had suggested there were seven vacancies at the Orbost police station. As well the Traffic Operations Group at Orbost had not been fully staffed for at least three years. While theoretically Lakes Entrance is to become a 24-hour station, it does not have the resources to meet its current 16-hour service provision.
Mr Hall said police members were being forced to work extremely long hours to provide services and, when times are desperate, call in officers from other stations.
“The sharing of resources between police stations is a common and usual practice for the police, to ensure the numbers are appropriately spread and shifts are covered, but when nearby police stations are also low on numbers there are simply not enough officers to go around,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall’s tour also revealed that there are only two officers at Cann River, who are expected to provide a 16-hour service.
“The reality is that the Government is responsible for resourcing the police; that is why we have a Police and Emergency Services Minister,” Mr Hall said. “The Government needs to act and act quickly to provide the police force with the resources it needs to do its job, and in the case of East Gippsland, that is more officers.”
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
TEACHERS NEED PAY RISE: NATIONALS
The Nationals have come out in strong support of a decent salary increase for teachers, and have gained support for their proposal from the Upper House of State Parliament.
The Nationals’ Education spokesman, Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall, has called for the Brumby Government to immediately increase Victorian Government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation.
Mr Hall said: “Teachers are a vital part of our community. Even if everything else in our education system was top class, if we don’t have enough teachers, we have a huge problem. We need to reward them properly for the important work they do.”
In Parliament, Mr Hall spoke in support of the Coalition’s policy to commit nearly $400 million over three years to achieve that goal.
“The government has put on the table a 3.25 per cent wage increase. That will still leave Victorian teachers well below their interstate counterparts.
“The coalition has costed that beyond the existing 3.25 per cent offer on the table, and says another $396 million will be required over three years to bring Victorian teachers' salaries to a level so that they become the highest paid in Australia.
“That is the commitment from the coalition (that) applies not only to teachers in the primary and secondary system but also to preschool teachers, because if there was ever an area that really needs some addressing, it is the preschool system.”
Mr Hall said there was a strong requirement to keep teachers in the system.
“The median age of the profession is increasing, and it is common for teachers to retire just prior to their reaching the age of 55 years. Given the fact that 40 per cent of the teaching workforce is currently aged over 50 years, there is an impending shortage of teachers in the very near future,” Mr Hall said.
He added it was important that Victoria keep ahead of the pack.
“There are pressure points in the system. If we do not address those pressure points, then we will soon fall behind in the race of delivering the best quality education in Australia.”
Mr Hall said he was particularly keen to see the situation for preschool teachers improved.
“This is an issue which I stressed strongly prior to the last state election. We need to do something to improve the conditions, salary levels and workloads in preschools around Victoria. I am pleased that the government has now moved preschools under the umbrella of education and early childhood development.
“That was a great first step, but the most important step is to provide pay parity for preschool teachers.
“We have an absolute dearth of preschool teachers, particularly in country areas where preschools often have to cancel sessions because there are no emergency teachers to come into the system and take over when a director is sick or is on leave for a day.
“We need to bring about that pay parity between preschool teachers and primary and secondary teachers to ensure that we maintain supplies of qualified preschool teachers in the system.”
Mr Hall’s motion, “That this house recognises the importance of education to Victoria's future and sustaining its economic prosperity, and calls on the Brumby government to immediately increase Victorian government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation,” was agreed to by the House.
The Nationals’ Education spokesman, Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall, has called for the Brumby Government to immediately increase Victorian Government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation.
Mr Hall said: “Teachers are a vital part of our community. Even if everything else in our education system was top class, if we don’t have enough teachers, we have a huge problem. We need to reward them properly for the important work they do.”
In Parliament, Mr Hall spoke in support of the Coalition’s policy to commit nearly $400 million over three years to achieve that goal.
“The government has put on the table a 3.25 per cent wage increase. That will still leave Victorian teachers well below their interstate counterparts.
“The coalition has costed that beyond the existing 3.25 per cent offer on the table, and says another $396 million will be required over three years to bring Victorian teachers' salaries to a level so that they become the highest paid in Australia.
“That is the commitment from the coalition (that) applies not only to teachers in the primary and secondary system but also to preschool teachers, because if there was ever an area that really needs some addressing, it is the preschool system.”
Mr Hall said there was a strong requirement to keep teachers in the system.
“The median age of the profession is increasing, and it is common for teachers to retire just prior to their reaching the age of 55 years. Given the fact that 40 per cent of the teaching workforce is currently aged over 50 years, there is an impending shortage of teachers in the very near future,” Mr Hall said.
He added it was important that Victoria keep ahead of the pack.
“There are pressure points in the system. If we do not address those pressure points, then we will soon fall behind in the race of delivering the best quality education in Australia.”
Mr Hall said he was particularly keen to see the situation for preschool teachers improved.
“This is an issue which I stressed strongly prior to the last state election. We need to do something to improve the conditions, salary levels and workloads in preschools around Victoria. I am pleased that the government has now moved preschools under the umbrella of education and early childhood development.
“That was a great first step, but the most important step is to provide pay parity for preschool teachers.
“We have an absolute dearth of preschool teachers, particularly in country areas where preschools often have to cancel sessions because there are no emergency teachers to come into the system and take over when a director is sick or is on leave for a day.
“We need to bring about that pay parity between preschool teachers and primary and secondary teachers to ensure that we maintain supplies of qualified preschool teachers in the system.”
Mr Hall’s motion, “That this house recognises the importance of education to Victoria's future and sustaining its economic prosperity, and calls on the Brumby government to immediately increase Victorian government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation,” was agreed to by the House.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
PRESSURE BUILDS TO RECYCLE WATER
The Victorian Liberal National Coalition will step up the pressure on the Brumby Government to implement water recycling and reuse targets for Melbourne with the introduction of a Private Members Bill in State Parliament.
The Nationals Upper House Leader Peter Hall has prepared the Victorian Water Substitution Target Bill which sets out a plan to reduce the use of drinking water and encourage the development of alternative water supplies including recycled water, treated storm water and rain water.
“This Bill puts water conservation and water re-use as a priority rather than the government’s solution of pillaging water from the drought-hit Goulburn Valley and the highly expensive desalination option,” Mr Hall said.
“Under the Bill that I will introduce to the Upper House, there will be overall savings of 30 per cent of Melbourne drinking water by 2020.”
Mr Hall said the Bill was supported by Coalition MPs at a meeting in Parliament today.
“It is a commonsense response to meet Melbourne’s water security needs,” Mr Hall said.
“Melbourne currently uses about 412 gigalitres of water per year and about 273 gigalitres ends up as waste water. Only about 61 gigalitres is currently recycled and re-used while the remaining 210 gigalitres is pumped out to sea.
“Instead of implementing an extensive program of water recycling and re-use for non-drinking purposes, the Brumby Government has pursued high-cost and divisive options which are not as environmentally-friendly.
“The State Government hasn’t even scratched the surface in terms of recycling water and stormwater harvesting in Melbourne.”
Mr Hall said the Private Members Bill provided for water retailers and large water consumers to be locked into specific water substitution targets along the same lines as have been legislated for a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and a Victorian Energy Efficiency Target.
“We’re talking about a new approach to securing Melbourne’s water needs without taking more water from country Victoria and building a hugely expensive and environmentally unfriendly desalination plant,” Mr Hall said.
“The Bill will not require Melburnians to drink recycled water but more emphasis would be placed on recycling water and stormwater harvesting for non-potable use.
“It makes sense – both environmentally and economically – to fully explore all water recycling and stormwater harvesting options to augment Melbourne’s water supplies,” Mr Hall said.
The Nationals Upper House Leader Peter Hall has prepared the Victorian Water Substitution Target Bill which sets out a plan to reduce the use of drinking water and encourage the development of alternative water supplies including recycled water, treated storm water and rain water.
“This Bill puts water conservation and water re-use as a priority rather than the government’s solution of pillaging water from the drought-hit Goulburn Valley and the highly expensive desalination option,” Mr Hall said.
“Under the Bill that I will introduce to the Upper House, there will be overall savings of 30 per cent of Melbourne drinking water by 2020.”
Mr Hall said the Bill was supported by Coalition MPs at a meeting in Parliament today.
“It is a commonsense response to meet Melbourne’s water security needs,” Mr Hall said.
“Melbourne currently uses about 412 gigalitres of water per year and about 273 gigalitres ends up as waste water. Only about 61 gigalitres is currently recycled and re-used while the remaining 210 gigalitres is pumped out to sea.
“Instead of implementing an extensive program of water recycling and re-use for non-drinking purposes, the Brumby Government has pursued high-cost and divisive options which are not as environmentally-friendly.
“The State Government hasn’t even scratched the surface in terms of recycling water and stormwater harvesting in Melbourne.”
Mr Hall said the Private Members Bill provided for water retailers and large water consumers to be locked into specific water substitution targets along the same lines as have been legislated for a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and a Victorian Energy Efficiency Target.
“We’re talking about a new approach to securing Melbourne’s water needs without taking more water from country Victoria and building a hugely expensive and environmentally unfriendly desalination plant,” Mr Hall said.
“The Bill will not require Melburnians to drink recycled water but more emphasis would be placed on recycling water and stormwater harvesting for non-potable use.
“It makes sense – both environmentally and economically – to fully explore all water recycling and stormwater harvesting options to augment Melbourne’s water supplies,” Mr Hall said.
Monday, 14 April 2008
LIMITED DUCK SEASON SHOULD BE CONSIDERED: NATIONALS
More flexibility in decision making is needed to ensure appropriate duck hunting procedures are in place, according to the Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Peter Hall.
Mr Hall, after raising the matter in Parliament in February, has just received a attempted justification from the State Environment Minister for the decision to cancel this year’s season.
“My concern is that this decision was made too early, without the capacity to take into account changes in weather patterns,” Mr Hall said.
“The State Government decided in December last year to cancel the season, only to have quite heavy rainfall across parts of Eastern Australia.
“There needs to be more flexibility to allow the Government to respond to changes, even if it is to allow a limited season with limited bag numbers,” Mr Hall said.
He said the reality is that by the middle of March, when the season would normally open, there could have been a duck hunting season.
“Conditions improved significantly after the decision was made mid – December, with rains in Queensland and northern New South Wales, with water birds flocking to those areas and breeding in literally tens of thousands. Conditions have also continued to remain most favourable in parts of Victoria, particularly Gippsland.
“The problem is the Government has locked itself into a premature decision making process. The end result could be that local regions that benefit from duck hunting miss out, when a restricted season could have provided some benefit.
“As well, we could face a huge surge in the duck population, which may then become a management problem next year.”
Mr Hall favoured the approach taken in 2005, when drought was far more evident across Victoria than this year and the state was experiencing a worse season in terms of water bird numbers. In that year the government announced a limited season with limited bag limits.
“I had requested that the minister reconsider his decision to cancel the 2008 duck hunting season in Victoria, but unfortunately there is no flexibility in the system. This needs to change so that proper management of bird numbers takes place and the economic benefits of duck hunting are not denied to country towns.”
Mr Hall, after raising the matter in Parliament in February, has just received a attempted justification from the State Environment Minister for the decision to cancel this year’s season.
“My concern is that this decision was made too early, without the capacity to take into account changes in weather patterns,” Mr Hall said.
“The State Government decided in December last year to cancel the season, only to have quite heavy rainfall across parts of Eastern Australia.
“There needs to be more flexibility to allow the Government to respond to changes, even if it is to allow a limited season with limited bag numbers,” Mr Hall said.
He said the reality is that by the middle of March, when the season would normally open, there could have been a duck hunting season.
“Conditions improved significantly after the decision was made mid – December, with rains in Queensland and northern New South Wales, with water birds flocking to those areas and breeding in literally tens of thousands. Conditions have also continued to remain most favourable in parts of Victoria, particularly Gippsland.
“The problem is the Government has locked itself into a premature decision making process. The end result could be that local regions that benefit from duck hunting miss out, when a restricted season could have provided some benefit.
“As well, we could face a huge surge in the duck population, which may then become a management problem next year.”
Mr Hall favoured the approach taken in 2005, when drought was far more evident across Victoria than this year and the state was experiencing a worse season in terms of water bird numbers. In that year the government announced a limited season with limited bag limits.
“I had requested that the minister reconsider his decision to cancel the 2008 duck hunting season in Victoria, but unfortunately there is no flexibility in the system. This needs to change so that proper management of bird numbers takes place and the economic benefits of duck hunting are not denied to country towns.”
Thursday, 10 April 2008
GOVERNMENT HIDES FACTS ON WATER
The Auditor-General has exposed the State Government’s decision to transfer $490,000 from projects on the Gippsland Lakes to help fund the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline.
And it has been revealed that the State Government may have deliberately under-stated the cost of the controversial Wonthaggi desalination plant by not telling Victorians the most likely cost of the proposal.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall said he was alarmed by the revelations in the report titled: Planning for Water Infrastructure in Victoria.
“The Auditor General’s report is highly critical of many of the Brumby Government’s decisions in relation to water projects,” Mr Hall said.
“The most alarming aspect of the report is the financial probity issues surrounding the desalination plant. The Auditor-General has revealed that the published capital cost of $3.1 billion was not the most likely cost of the project.
“The State Government has deliberately under-stated the cost of the project and is refusing to provide details on the ‘highest probability estimate’.
“The Auditor-General found that if the government wanted to use the less accurate estimate, it should have justified this decision publicly.
“As it stands now, we have the very real prospect of a cost blow-out. And given the report reveals customers will be footing nearly 90 per cent of the cost, Gippsland water users can anticipate hefty price hikes in future.
Mr Hall said the transfer of $490,000 intended for works in the Gippsland Lakes catchment to the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline project had not been explained by the government.
“Given the Brumby Government has already cut funding by 50% to the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce, I doubt that we will ever see that $490,000 again,” Mr Hall said.
“The money was intended for small town sewerage upgrades to improve water quality in the lakes.
“Water quality is a critical factor in preventing algal blooms and the Brumby Government should be increasing its funding for nutrient reduction projects, not sneakily transferring money to the other side of the state.”
And it has been revealed that the State Government may have deliberately under-stated the cost of the controversial Wonthaggi desalination plant by not telling Victorians the most likely cost of the proposal.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall said he was alarmed by the revelations in the report titled: Planning for Water Infrastructure in Victoria.
“The Auditor General’s report is highly critical of many of the Brumby Government’s decisions in relation to water projects,” Mr Hall said.
“The most alarming aspect of the report is the financial probity issues surrounding the desalination plant. The Auditor-General has revealed that the published capital cost of $3.1 billion was not the most likely cost of the project.
“The State Government has deliberately under-stated the cost of the project and is refusing to provide details on the ‘highest probability estimate’.
“The Auditor-General found that if the government wanted to use the less accurate estimate, it should have justified this decision publicly.
“As it stands now, we have the very real prospect of a cost blow-out. And given the report reveals customers will be footing nearly 90 per cent of the cost, Gippsland water users can anticipate hefty price hikes in future.
Mr Hall said the transfer of $490,000 intended for works in the Gippsland Lakes catchment to the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline project had not been explained by the government.
“Given the Brumby Government has already cut funding by 50% to the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce, I doubt that we will ever see that $490,000 again,” Mr Hall said.
“The money was intended for small town sewerage upgrades to improve water quality in the lakes.
“Water quality is a critical factor in preventing algal blooms and the Brumby Government should be increasing its funding for nutrient reduction projects, not sneakily transferring money to the other side of the state.”
FIREWOOD SUPPLIES UNDER THREAT
The availability of firewood across Gippsland is under threat, because of the procedures put in place by VicForests.
Eastern Victoria MP and The Nationals Resources spokesman, Peter Hall, has called for a review of VicForests’ firewood procedures and practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.
Mr Hall told Parliament this week that people are concerned with the VicForests process, because of irregular and unreliable supply and the price, which is at least four times that paid for commercial firewood from Department of Sustainability and
Environment operations in other parts of the state.
Mr Hall said it was vital that eastern Victorians have access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood. VicForests controls all the harvesting and sale of forest products in eastern Victoria.
“Firewood is the only viable and affordable option for many people in rural areas for the purposes of heating, and is therefore regarded pretty much as an essential commodity,” Mr Hall told Parliament.
“Last winter the supplies of firewood were desperately short right across the Gippsland region, and I am afraid the outlook for this winter appears to be no better.
“The problem arises from the fact that VicForests is a commercially driven public enterprise, focused on sawlog and pulpwood operations. Firewood is a poor cousin to these operations, and it appears that there is a less than satisfactory process in place to enable ready access by both commercial and private collectors of firewood.”
Mr Hall said in the past commercial firewood operators were allocated a coup for the purposes of collecting firewood, they undertook thinning operations or at times they undertook salvage operations from coups harvested for sawlog operations.
“This does not seem to be the case now. VicForests is now insisting on door sales – that is, product is being delivered directly to the door of the commercial firewood cutters and they do not have the same access to coups in the forest.”
Mr Hall pointed out the problems with supply and delivery this created, as well as the escalation in price.
Mr Hall called on the Treasurer, who is the Minister responsible for VicForests, to act quickly to ensure access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood.
“I ask the Treasurer to ensure that VicForests reviews its firewood procedures and appropriate practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.”
Outside Parliament, Mr Hall said with winter fast approaching and many people stocking up on firewood, it was an urgent issue. “It has to be addressed so people in eastern Victoria are not compromised because of the processes the Government has in place.”
Eastern Victoria MP and The Nationals Resources spokesman, Peter Hall, has called for a review of VicForests’ firewood procedures and practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.
Mr Hall told Parliament this week that people are concerned with the VicForests process, because of irregular and unreliable supply and the price, which is at least four times that paid for commercial firewood from Department of Sustainability and
Environment operations in other parts of the state.
Mr Hall said it was vital that eastern Victorians have access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood. VicForests controls all the harvesting and sale of forest products in eastern Victoria.
“Firewood is the only viable and affordable option for many people in rural areas for the purposes of heating, and is therefore regarded pretty much as an essential commodity,” Mr Hall told Parliament.
“Last winter the supplies of firewood were desperately short right across the Gippsland region, and I am afraid the outlook for this winter appears to be no better.
“The problem arises from the fact that VicForests is a commercially driven public enterprise, focused on sawlog and pulpwood operations. Firewood is a poor cousin to these operations, and it appears that there is a less than satisfactory process in place to enable ready access by both commercial and private collectors of firewood.”
Mr Hall said in the past commercial firewood operators were allocated a coup for the purposes of collecting firewood, they undertook thinning operations or at times they undertook salvage operations from coups harvested for sawlog operations.
“This does not seem to be the case now. VicForests is now insisting on door sales – that is, product is being delivered directly to the door of the commercial firewood cutters and they do not have the same access to coups in the forest.”
Mr Hall pointed out the problems with supply and delivery this created, as well as the escalation in price.
Mr Hall called on the Treasurer, who is the Minister responsible for VicForests, to act quickly to ensure access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood.
“I ask the Treasurer to ensure that VicForests reviews its firewood procedures and appropriate practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.”
Outside Parliament, Mr Hall said with winter fast approaching and many people stocking up on firewood, it was an urgent issue. “It has to be addressed so people in eastern Victoria are not compromised because of the processes the Government has in place.”
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