News

Ovens Valley still getting a raw deal from Daniel Andrews

Tuesday 1 May 2018

Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said the Andrews Labor Government’s latest State Budget offered a raw deal to Ovens Valley communities.

Mr McCurdy said he was disappointed Labor had again failed to fund important Ovens Valley projects including upgrades to North East rail, funding for Wangaratta sporting facilities and the local CFA.

“Labor’s latest Budget pours $25 billion into metro cost blowouts, but leaves local families and businesses no better off meeting the pressures of a growing cost-of-living,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Wangaratta has a strong and proud sporting culture but Labor has again failed to invest in projects that would have had a wide benefit to our town.

“Funding for a gymnasium at Wangaratta High School would have delivered a huge boost to our community and offered our local basketball community access to a facility that can accommodate growing player numbers.”

The Andrews Labor Government’s Budget also ignores calls from the North Wangaratta Football Netball Club to upgrade their facilities.

“New lights and an electronic scoreboard for the football ground and funding for two new netball courts is what this hard-working, volunteer-run club needs as it looks to get back on its feet,” Mr McCurdy said.

“This would have given the club and the community a real boost.”

Mr McCurdy said under a Labor Government, North East rail passengers would continue to endure failing rolling stock that was long past its use-by-date.

“There is no new specific funding for the North East rail line in this budget which is simply appalling,” Mr McCurdy said.

“The Nationals committed $633 million earlier this year to buy new long-haul trains for country Victoria, if we are elected to government.

“I had hoped this would have encouraged Labor to offer something in this budget to improve North East rail, but there is nothing.”

Mr McCurdy said Labor’s disrespect for CFA volunteers continued in this budget.

“On Friday, I announced a brand new Myrtleford CFA station worth $2.1 million will be built under an elected Nationals government,” he said.

“It’s vital the Myrtleford community has the resources it needs to fight fires and protect property and this new facility will provide that.

“The Labor Government has failed to match this commitment.

“Daniel Andrews has fought tooth-and-nail to tear our CFA apart. Unlike Labor, The Nationals will fight to protect those who protect us.”