Friday, 12 October 2007

Drought – Sykes slams State Government silence

The Victorian Government’s failure to join the Federal Government in increasing drought assistance measures to country Victorians has been slammed by Nationals MP, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “This week in Parliament, I and my Nationals colleagues again highlighted the devastating impact of the drought on country families and communities.

“For my part, I highlighted the increase of drought related suicides and its impact on people.

“This was followed by an impassioned plea for the Government to ease some of the pressure when I said,

Premier, you can’t make it rain but you can ease the pressure.

• “Stop the North-South Pipeline which will take our water, our life blood, to flush Melbourne’s faeces into the sea.
   

• “Stop the decommissioning of Lake Mokoan and accept the local alternative which provides irrigators water security whilst delivering water savings.
   

• “Reject the ludicrous recommendations of the draft VEAC report on river red gum forests.
   

• “Substantially increase funding and support services to country communities.

Please Premier, many proud people are desperate and need your help urgently.

“Disappointingly the Government remained silent on new drought assistance measures preferring to briefly ‘reel off’ their rhetoric about how much they have done so far.

“It staggers belief that with this week’s news that the State Budget surplus is now at around $1.3 billion that Mr Brumby can’t find it in his heart to allocate a few hundred million dollars to desperate country families and communities.

“Shame on you Mr Brumby”, concluded Dr Sykes.

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