The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling on the Allan Labor Government to ensure the 2025-2026 State Budget delivers for Gippslanders.
Mr O’Brien said despite years of claims that Labor governs for all Victorians, Gippslanders are yet to see that put into practice.
“The Allan Labor Government has a history of forgetting Gippsland exists until it’s time to find somewhere to stick a wind farm or transmission line,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Here in Gippsland South, our roads are crumbling and we have less social housing than we did when Labor formed government more than 10 years ago.
“Crime rates have skyrocketed, land taxes are unprecedented and small businesses are closing down at alarming rates.
“Gippslanders are paying more than ever before and yet have very little to show for it.”
Mr O’Brien said with the State Budget set to be handed down on 20 May 2025, it provides a chance for the Allan Labor Government to put its money where its mouth is and prove it cares about regional communities like those in Gippsland.
“I appreciate I am likely beginning to sound like a broken record, but we have local schools like Sale College that are in desperate need of funding for a rebuild and the stadium at Mirboo North Secondary that needs a full financial commitment.
“I am also aware that Leongatha Secondary College is one of 29 Victorian schools that are still eagerly awaiting a Budget commitment, despite receiving a 2022 election commitment from Labor.
“Similarly, the Foster and Mirboo North fire stations are still waiting for funds to be committed for urgently needed rebuilds.”
Mr O’Brien said it was obvious to anyone who has travelled around Gippsland that more investment is also needed to maintain and upgrade our roads.
“The condition of our roads is more than just embarrassing, it is dangerous.
“We simply cannot afford for Labor to continue to cut to road funding like it has done in previous consecutive budgets.”
Mr O’Brien said he would also like to see increased investment in social housing stock and maintenance as well as increased funding for programs like the dental voucher program which assists those in regional areas like Gippsland with long public dental waitlists.
“The Allan Labor Government needs to acknowledge that Regional Victoria is more than just Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
“Gippslanders have not received a fair deal from previous budgets under Labor and it is past time for that to change.”
Mr O’Brien said projects he is hoping will receive a financial commitment include:
- Construction of consolidated Sale College;
- Upgrade for Leongatha Secondary School;
- Mirboo North gymnasium;
- Additional train services to and from Sale;
- New fire stations for Mirboo North and Foster;
- Stage 2 of the Leongatha heavy vehicle bypass;
- Demolition of old Sale police station.
Mr O’Brien said these were just a few of the projects that needed to be funded in this years’ budget.
“We need improvements right across the board for Gippsland in roads, public transport, public health and educational facilities to support our growing local community.”