STATE PARLIAMENT – BILL’S BUSY WEEK WITH BILLS

This week has been a busy time in State Parliament for Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

• Dr Sykes’ week started with him again arguing for retention of the Police Schools Involvement Program. Dr Sykes used quotes from some of the 38 letters that he had received from Euroa Primary School students which unanimously support continuation of the program.

Students’ views were put most bluntly by Cody Gordon who stated, “I think that stopping the program is dumb and dangerous because if kids don't know the consequences of crime, then more crime will arise”.

• A request for $1m to assist local councils meet the costs associated with last week’s storm damage was next on Dr Sykes’ Parliamentary program.

Dr Sykes asked the Treasurer, Mr John Brumby, to help local councils – Mansfield, Murrindindi, Benalla, Alpine, Strathbogie & Wangaratta, as they would be unable to meet the unbudgeted storm costs without impacting on scheduled maintenance and capital works program.

• The debate on a bill related to the Otways National Park provided Dr Sykes with the chance to call on the Government to provide adequate funding for weed and pest animal control in National Parks. In particular, Dr Sykes highlighted the Government’s gutting of front line DPI weed control field staff and the cessation of funding of compliance offers to control rogue deer hunters to make money available for other Government promises.

• Dr Sykes then used the Sustainability Victoria Bill to highlight problems with the implementation of farm dams legislation, in particular the all encompassing definition of a water way which means landholders in high rainfall areas have to jump more hurdles than Jane Pittman to build a dam.

Dr Sykes also commended Goulburn Murray Water for its efforts to solve problems associated with inconsistent advice by agencies involved in approving the construction of farm dams.

• The valuable role of Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Mokoan in mitigating flood levels in Benalla was also brought to the Government’s attention by Dr Sykes.

• To round off the week, Dr Sykes tabled petitions:-

- in relation to the Country Taxi crisis asking for immediate action; and

- asking for changes to the controversial Racial & Religious Tolerance Act.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I will continue to raise local issues in Parliament and to remind Mr Bracks to live up his claim that he governs for all Victorians – it is about time he delivered on this claim.

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