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20^th November 2000:

- PLENTY ROAD RAISED IN PARLIAMENT

- SHADOW MINISTER VISITS TOWN

1^st November 2000:

6^th October 2000:

2^nd October 2000:

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20^th November 2000

The deteriorating traffic conditions on Plenty Road and the urgent need for passing lanes was recently raised in Parliament by Upper House Member, Graeme Stoney MP.

More than 11,000 vehicles use Plenty Road each day and traffic is growing by 7% per year.

Mr Stoney told the House that more than 50% of the road between South Morang and Whittlesea is not suitable for overtaking, because of the amount of oncoming traffic in fact it is almost impossible to pass anywhere between South Morang and Whittlesea, Mr Stoney explained later,

"The Whittlesea town is booming. There is a lot of development, which means heavy trucks, and it is the mix of cars and trucks that is causing frustration. I am supporting the Whittlesea Council in its request to Vic Roads for passing lanes in Plenty Road. I support that request and ask the Minister to look again at the viability of passing lanes on Plenty Road" Mr Stoney told the House.

In a letter of reply the Minister for Transport has told Mr Stoney that Vic Roads and the Whittlesea Council will develop a Plenty Road strategy over the next year.

"This will identify desirable improvement to the road network and will develop a proposal for progressive duplication of Plenty Road", Mr Batchelor said in his letter to Mr Stoney.

"This response by the Minister is far to slow and protracted, there is a need for Vic Roads to act immediately on this dangerous road as they have all the figures" Mr Stoney commented when he received the letter.

Further Enquiries: Graeme Stoney 9716 1038

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20^th November 2000

The Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Bill Forwood visited Whittlesea recently.

Mr Forwood was accompanied by the two local Members for Central Highlands, Graeme Stoney and Geoff Craige. The group inspected the Crystal Group development on the edge of the Whittlesea township and were shown around by Lisa Mott.

Mr Forwood said later that he was extremely impressed with the standard of the housing and thought put into the project by the Mott family.

"The Industrial Park will bring jobs to the town and is done in a sensitive and modern environment" Mr Forwood said.

Further Enquiries: Graeme Stoney 9716 1038

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1^st November 2000.

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee presented an All Party Parliamentary Report on Ovine Johne’s Disease to Parliament this week. The report includes a Minority Report from four members of the Committee Hon Graeme Stoney, MLC, Mr Craig Ingram, MP, Mr Hugh Delahunty, MP, Mr Terry Mulder, MP

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Graeme Stoney, told Parliament on Tuesday that the Minority Report was issued because three motions were voted out of the main report but were considered by four Committee Members to be an important part of the main report.

Mr Stoney said later that in essence the three motions recommended that the State Government support half the present OJD Compensation Fund debt, reintroduce and support the levy on a 50/50 basis in future, and as well ask the Commonwealth Government for financial assistance.

"The recommendations in the Minority Report are a logical conclusion to the evidence and are designed to assist the fund debt of $16M which is becoming unsustainable" Mr Stoney said.

Under the Parliamentary Committees Act the Government must respond to both the main report and the minority report within six months.

"It is imperative the Government carefully considers both the recommendations in the main report and the Minority Report because acceptance by the Government will give the industry confidence in the future OJD program as outlined in the main report, Mr Stoney concluded.

Further Enquiries: Graeme Stoney 9716 1038

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6^th October 2000

Local Upper House Member, Graeme Stoney has welcomed the announcement in Parliament by Andre Haermeyer MP., that he supports construction of the Craigieburn Bypass (called the F2 Freeway).

Mr Haermeyer, told the House that Thursday that he has been "getting his constituents behind the road".

"Mr Haermeyer admitted in the House that he was responding to my call earlier, for himself and Mr Hardman MP to support the F2", Mr Stoney said.

"I draw attention to the fact that Mr Haermeyer is a Minister of the Crown in the Government and sits at the same Cabinet table as the Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor. Instead of working at Cabinet level to achieve a result, he has written to all his constituents, grandstanding on the issue", Mr Stoney said.

It is ridiculous that Mr Haermeyer is still acting like he did in opposition and I again call on him and Mr Hardman to influence their Government through the correct channels, so work on the F2 can begin,", Mr Stoney concluded.

Further Enquiries: Graeme Stoney 9716 1038

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2^nd October 2000

The two Bills to alter the State Constitution and change the powers and structure of the Upper House are being debated this week in the Legislative Council.

Local Upper House MP Graeme Stoney said he would be speaking strongly against the two Bills because rural representation would be reduced if the Bills were passed.

"Labor's legislation would abolish by-elections in the Upper House, sweeping away an historic democratic right and would slash the number or rural electorates from eight to three", Mr Stoney said.

"While Labor desperately wants Victorians to believe its only aim is to abolish two terms for Upper House members introduced by the Cain Labor government in the 1980's, this is only a ruse to draw attention away from their broader political motives," he said.

Mr Stoney explained that if Labor's plans to alter the State Constitution went ahead:

• the ALP would have absolute power in the Parliament, even though they still don't hold a majority of electorates in either House;
• Non-metropolitan voters would no longer have their local Upper House MP as there would be only three 'mega' rural electorates. For example it was likely that the seat covering this area would include, Bendigo, Craigieburn, Lilydale and Corryong, with the other two being one west of that line and one in Gippsland.
• Extremist minority candidates like One Nation could get a seat in the Upper House and effectively dictate policy to the elected government of the day.

"The Upper House has a proud record it amended 480 Bills from 1992-1999 and exposed the VEDC and Tricontinental scandals in the 80's. One action to assist rural people was throwing out the section of a Water Bill that took away landowners statutory rights to water that fell on their land in 1989". Mr Stoney concluded.

Further Enquiries: Graeme Stoney 9716 1038

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