IT’S TWO days into the ‘Early Voting’ period ahead of the Victorian State Election and already hundreds of people have cast their ballot.
Candidates and their supporters have a laborious 11 days to fill at early voting centres in Wonthaggi and Cowes, for the Bass Electorate and at Leongatha for Gippsland South.
These are long days, mostly from 8.30am until 5pm, 6pm or even 8pm at night, like it was on Tuesday this week, but still the election promises are being rolled out as candidates fit in visits and announcements in between stints at the booths.
For Bass incumbent, Labor’s Jordan Crugnale it was a welcome, morning visit to the San Remo Primary School, familiar surrounds these for a teacher in another life.
Ms Crugnale was joined by her colleague Harriet Shing, a Member for Eastern Victoria, and also the Minister for Equality, Regional Development and Water.
At San Remo PS they promised $5.3 million for a major upgrade of the school.
“A re-elected Andrews Government will get you modern, light-filled, accessible and permanent classroom spaces,” Ms Crugnale said.
“I do so love this school but it needs a bit of love too,” she said.
Ms Crugnale attested to the respect the school, its principal Karen Bowker and its teachers have earned across the region.
“It’s a dynamic school, offering outstanding educational opportunities… superlatives at every turn.”
She went on to say that the Andrews’ Government has upgraded 1850 schools and funded or opened 75 new ones.
“Education is so important in a child’s development and that’s why Labor has invested more than $200 million in building and upgrading schools in Bass.”
We’re cooking with gas
Meanwhile, according to the Coalition, Victoria’s manufacturing sector and local jobs would receive a significant boost under a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government’s from the ‘Victorian gas for Victorians policy’.
Under this plan, 100 per cent of new conventional onshore gas will be reserved for Victorian consumers, according to the Coalition, meaning more reliable and affordable gas supplies for businesses across the state but without fracking, they say.
The Andrews Labor Government’s advice is clear, according to the Lib/Nats:
A December 2020 Victorian Gas Program report found that:
* There is likely to be 128-830 petajoules of commercially feasible onshore conventional gas yet to be discovered in the state.
* Production of the estimated gas resources could generate around $300 million annually for regional economies and create up to 6400 jobs over the lifespan of these projects.
* Environmental studies showed that developing these gas resources to secure local gas supply would not compromise the state’s groundwater supplies or agricultural sector.
Additionally, another 2020 EY report commissioned by the Government found that:
· The introduction of domestic prioritisation mechanism (e.g. right of first offer) was identified as a further mitigation [to relative gas shortage supply in Victoria]. Such a mechanism could require gas produced from Otway Basin scenarios to be offered to Victorian gas users first. No risks were identified to this receptor. (page 17, emphasis added).
· Western Australia has maintained a domestic gas reservation policy since 2006, which has contributed to that state having the lowest gas prices in the OECD.
· The same policy has been delivering huge power bill savings and energy security to Western Australians.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, told Sky News on November 3 that the policy works:
“We’ve had huge investment, more than $100 billion of gas projects investment in Western Australia, and we’ve had enough supply for the domestic market both for consumers and industry,” Mr McGowan said.
“It’s meant that Western Australia has been in a far, far, far better position than the eastern states… it’s proven to work in the interest of the people of the state.”
If it works in Western Australia, it can work here. Last time we checked, Western Australia was also party to the Australian Constitution.
It's curious - in the world according to Daniel Andrews, it’s fine for his Labor colleague Mark McGowan to do this in the West, but not for the Liberals and Nationals to do this in Victoria.
In contrast, Daniel Andrews’ back-to-the-future energy plan will increase power prices by 40 per cent and relies on raiding the super of ordinary Victorians.
Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said the Liberals and Nationals’ Victorian gas for Victorians plan would mean lower prices and more secure supplies for Victorian businesses and households.
“Keeping Victorian gas for Victorians is sensible, achievable and will boost manufacturing jobs across the state,” Mr Guy said.
“With Daniel Andrews, it’s always spin before real solutions. Only the Liberals and Nationals will deliver the energy bill relief our businesses need to thrive and grow.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables, David Southwick, said high energy prices were holding back businesses and households across Victoria.
“Businesses can’t grow when energy bills just keep going up and up and up,” Mr Southwick said.
“Labor’s own plan admits that power prices will rise 40 per cent from 2025. A plan for higher bills is no plan at all.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions to ease power prices and keep them low so small businesses and manufacturing jobs can get ahead.”
Preference deals in the crosshairs
A friendly exchange between the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and Animal Justice Party has sparked anger among shooters who claim they are being sold out, days before the Victorian State Election.
National Shooting Council Vice President, Peter Zabrdac, claimed there was strong evidence in the Upper House preference deals to show that the SFFP’s Jeff Bourman has been “selling his values” in exchange for preferences to secure another spot in the Victorian Parliament.
In response to a video posted by Bourman, complaining about a preference deal that fell through, the Animal Justice Party’s candidate for Southern Metropolitan, Ben Schutz told him: “We got your back” and promoted him in their preferences.
The SFFP says they are putting the AJP, who want to ban duck hunting, last but Mr Zabrdac said that was only being done for show.
“If you look at who the SFFP has been preferencing, you will see that they are trying to tell shooters that they oppose the AJP but are instead directing preferences to them through other parties,” he said.
“The reason Ben Schultz is happy is because he’ll be getting SFFP preferences through the Sustainable Australia Party and probably a couple of others.
“They did this at the 2018 State Election and they’re doing it again”
Where to vote early
* Leongatha Early Voting Centre, 28 McCartin Street, Leongatha.
* Wonthaggi Senior Citizens Club, 46–50 Murray Street Wonthaggi.
* Cowes Early Voting Centre, 44-46 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Wednesday 16 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Thursday 17 November 8:30 am - 8 pm,
Friday 18 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Saturday 19 November 9 am - 5 pm,
Sunday 20 November – CENTRE CLOSED
Monday 21 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Tuesday 22 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Wednesday 23 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Thursday 24 November 8:30 am - 8 pm,
Friday 25 November 8:30 am - 6 pm
ELECTION DAY – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – 8am to 6pm
For election day voting places go to the VEC website at https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2022-state-election/voting-options-during-an-election
Well 2 days down in the pre polling and going well, doing our bit for the community. So proud of my team, low in numbers but high in energy, great support for the team so far.
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