There’s an election looming, and the big sweeteners are starting to roll, but before we start cheering too loudly, a closer look at the fine print shows not one single cent, let alone a single dollar, is earmarked for regional Victoria.
The media release referenced “transformative projects for the south-east and the north”.
“This money is ready, right now, to fix roads in need of repair,” it read.
Now we’re talking!
The Murray Valley Highway from Wodonga to Yarrawonga, through the Rutherglen wine region, is one of Victoria’s major regional tourism destinations, and a busy heavy transport route.
The ageing, flood damaged highway is a key freight link and in desperate need of upgrade.
Except in this case, ‘north’ means Wallan, 45kms north of Melbourne’s CBD.
The announcement last week claimed to be building Victoria’s future.
There is more to Victoria than Melbourne and here in the real north, we would like our fair share.
Mr Albanese has nothing to gain here. Nicholls is a safe Nationals seat and even if it were to topple, as seemed possible in the last election, it won’t be to his Labor Party.
But as Prime Minister, and as the Australian Government, he has pledged to govern for all Australians, not just those who voted for him or whose favour he is courting next time.
Christine McKee (Editor)
19°C