Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said the Baillieu –Ryan Government’s first State Budget has failed to outline any plan for how they will ensure regional Victoria continues to grow and prosper into the future.
“Job creation and economic growth in regional Victoria does not just happen. It requires good planning from Governments, but sadly Mr Ryan and Mr Baillieu have failed to do so”, Ms Broad said.
Speaking in Parliament today, Ms Broad said that in the lead up to the November 2010 election, the National and Liberal Parties made a number of promises to Electors in Northern Victoria in the district of Mildura.
They included:
- an economic development package to start construction on Mildura’s riverfront master plan and support the private development of a 300 seat Dockside conference centre and resort at the marina,
- an investment in the passenger terminal at Mildura Airport,
- an investment in a major expansion of the capacity of the natural gas supply to Mildura families and businesses,
- a major investment in large scale solar power generation in Mildura,
- returning a passenger train to Mildura removed by the last Liberal National Government.
“Given that there is no mention of funding for the implementation of these promises in the Baillieu-Ryan Budget for 2011-2012 and future years, I call on the Government to explain to the Electors of Mildura over what period they will be funded, the amount of funding to be made available in each funding year, and what the funding source will be”, Ms Broad said.
“This is information that Electors have a right to expect to be provided in Budget papers”.
Ms Broad said that the Baillieu – Ryan Budget was also silent on funding for Chaffey College and the Merbein Schools Project to help these schools provide quality teaching and learning for regional students.
“The Baillieu – Ryan Government has previously admitted to slashing $338 million from the education budget and walking away from the Victorian Schools Plan which would have seen every public school rebuilt or modernised by the end of 2016”, Ms Broad said.
“Chaffey College and the Merbein Schools Project have a right to know the intentions of the the Baillieu – Ryan Government regarding future investment to help these schools provide quality teaching and learning for regional students”.