SYKES – COMMONWEALTH GAMES CELEBRATIONS FOR ALL – NOT FOR SOME

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, says the flying of Commonwealth Games flags at ALL schools across Victoria is a victory for commonsense.

“Initially the Bracks’ Government only provided flags for Lower House MPs to distribute to government schools, leaving out one third of Victoria’s students.

Dr Sykes said, “The Nationals strongly objected to this discrimination and it appears the Government has decided to now include all Victorian schools, including the 10 independent schools in our area.

“I am looking forward to getting around to our local schools and personally delivering as many flags as possible.

“The flag is intended to celebrate the spirit of the Commonwealth Games and generate interest in schools to learn more about the history of the Games. I am pleased this celebration and learning will now extend to all our schools.

Dr Sykes continued, “I appreciate organising an event of this enormity is a complex process but this is not the first problem we have encountered. We recently received correspondence from a constituent in Violet Town, who was extremely disappointed in the bidding process for Commonwealth Games tickets which has resulted in her exclusion from the event.

“Our constituent attempted to bid for tickets over the internet but like so many country Victorians she was met with the frustration of a slow connection and an inability to make any progress. She then resorted to having her daughter bid for the tickets from Melbourne which appeared to be effective at the time but she has since found that her bid was not processed.

“I have written to the Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, asking him to address the shortcomings of the current system. I am waiting on the response.

“Having acknowledged the problems and the need to resolve them there is still plenty of cause for celebration. I strongly encourage all Victorians, particularly those in the Benalla Electorate, to embrace the spirit of the Games, not just the competition itself but the celebration of the culture of the many nationalities competing in the Games.

“There are a lot of exciting things unfolding in the area, such as Benalla hosting the Fijian team prior to the Games and there’s talk of other countries coming to the area.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The Nationals will continue to do our best to ensure the Commonwealth Games is not a celebration just for some… but an event all Victorians can be a part of… country Victorians and city Victorians, government and non-government schools.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989