SYKES SHOUTS DINNER AT PARLIAMENT

John and Kay Ball of Murchison are going to dinner at Parliament House Victoria, as guests of The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

The Balls won the dinner after responding to a survey Dr Sykes circulated, in the interests of consulting the community on issues of importance to them.

Dr Sykes said, “Over 340 people responded to the survey and their comments will be very helpful in the setting of my priorities over the next twelve months.

“The Balls made it clear they felt that the removal of police from schools and the cutting of the Police Schools Involvement Program was a really serious mistake by the Bracks’ Government. This is an issue I have already given a great deal of attention to and will continue to do so.

“Other issues of concern for the Balls were generally shared by other people throughout the electorate including education, health, community, infrastructure, agriculture, crown land management and petrol prices for country people.

Dr Sykes continued, “It’s very important to me to include people from the Benalla Electorate in the Parliamentary process and that is why I ask for feedback and why I’m looking forward to taking John and Kay to dinner.

“Dining at Parliament House is a wonderful experience. The building is steeped in history and reflects the enormous wealth of the Gold Rush era of the 1850s when the Parliament was built.

“My guests will enjoy dinner with up to one hundred other guests invited by The Nationals Parliamentarians to one of four dinners held every year.

“There is always an interesting guest speaker. We have had people such as Andrew Bolt, controversial journalist and Tricia Caswell, outspoken environmentalist and now CEO of Victorian Association of Forest Industries. Nigel Garrard, CEO of SPC Ardmona Shepparton, will speak at our next dinner on 13 September.

“Guests also enjoy a guided tour of Parliament House and the opportunity to watch and listen to debate that at times can get very ‘passionate’.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I thank everyone who responded to my survey. I look forward to focussing on the issues considered most important and achieving better services, better infrastructure and better quality of life for all constituents of the Benalla Electorate.

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