TRAVEL BACKFLIP A PERFECT $10

With the Commonwealth Games still 128 days away, the Bracks Government has performed the perfect policy somersault in a major victory for common sense, according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Province Peter Hall.

Mr Hall said the decision to offer $10 tickets on V/Line services for country people attending Commonwealth Games events came after a year of lobbying by The Nationals.

The decision means local residents will pay no more than $10 for a return ticket from the Gippsland and Latrobe Valley region to attend the event of their choice.

"It's a 10 out of 10… you won't see a better backflip in the diving competition at the Games," Mr Hall said.

"The Nationals have been critical of the government for the past year because it was offering free transport to Melbourne residents on the metropolitan system but was refusing to offer country people a discounted rate on V/Line services.

"We've had to drag the government to the starting line but at last a bit of common sense has prevailed and Gippslanders will have the opportunity to leave their cars at home if they want to."

Mr Hall said the announcement by the Transport Minister Peter Batchelor came after The Nationals accused the government of discriminating against rural and regional Victoria.

"The Minister was quite happy with his original policy which gave free transport to city people but specifically excluded V/Line services," Mr Hall said.

"It was only when The Nationals raised the issue in Parliament last December and followed up with another question last month that the $10 offer was developed.

"The Nationals were the only party to raise the issue and fight for a fair go on behalf of country people."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066