$1 billion irrigation modernisation moves ahead

FROM THE MINISTER FOR WATER - DATE: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Water Minister Tim Holding today announced the creation of a new state owned entity to implement and manage the $1 billion investment in modernising the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation System.

Mr Holding, speaking at a modern irrigation channel in Shepparton, said the Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project (NVIRP) would begin work immediately to undertake the biggest upgrade to the system’s infrastructure in its 100-year history.

“The Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project will now be tasked with managing this once in a lifetime opportunity to modernise irrigation infrastructure in the region,” Mr Holding said.

“A world class irrigation delivery system will be created, helping to reduce losses of around 800 billion litres of water each year through system inefficiencies and ensuring that the region will continue to be prosperous and competitive.”

Mr Holding said the Victorian Government had adopted 50 of the 52 recommendations from the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee’s final report.

“I would like to thank John Corboy, irrigators, council representatives and other key stakeholder groups for their contribution to the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee,” he said.

“Their extensive work and community consultation, including 70 formal and informal information sessions and 140 submissions, has laid the foundation for this vital project.”

Key recommendations adopted include:

· Modernisation of trunks and carriers to be undertaken first;

· Melbourne’s Bulk Entitlement from the savings will be capped at 75GL per year;

· Melbourne Water and the Victorian Government cannot enter the market to purchase water; and

· Water savings will be distributed evenly across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District and allocated to irrigators as high reliability shares.

The project will provide on average 225 billion litres of water each year to be shared equally by irrigators, stressed rivers and Melbourne by 2012 and is a key part of the Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.

Mr Holding said the only recommendation not adopted was that the environment would be required to pay for head works.

“The Government has also made no decision on the distribution of savings in excess of 225 billion litres long-term average and will only do so when the level of savings can be verified as exceeding 225 billion litres from Stage 1,” he said.
The modernisation works are jointly funded with $600 million from the Victorian Government, $300 million from Melbourne Water and $100 million from Goulburn-Murray Water.

The Victorian Government will separately meet around $11 million in administrative costs associated with the establishment of the new body.

Mr Holding said a board had been appointed for NVIRP, consisting initially of six people with a broad spectrum of skills and experience including engineering, horticulture and dairy farming.

“I congratulate the new Chairman Richard Guy and board members on their appointment and wish them well for delivering the required outcomes for the project,” Mr Holding said.

“The Board’s first task will be to find a suitable Chief Executive Officer to mange the historic irrigation infrastructure upgrade.

“NVIRP will work with Goulburn-Murray Water and other relevant agencies on developing the project plan and implementation. Goulburn-Murray Water will continue to be responsible for water management and allocations in the system.”

Mr Holding said NVIRP, which will be based in northern Victoria, would ensure that the future of Australia’s most important food production region was secured.

“Improved irrigation infrastructure will give irrigators the confidence they need to make decisions for the future,” he said.

“The benefits will also go well beyond the farm – a more efficient system will bring confidence to the whole region, attract new investment and contribute millions to the local economy.”

Construction works are expected to start as early as May 2008.

Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project Board Members

Mr Richard Guy (Chair) is Chairman of Bendigo-based Crystal Industries Group. He is an engineer by training and plays a prominent role in various community and charitable organisations. He chaired the Bendigo Bank through a period of rapid growth including the conversion to Bank status in 1995. He retired from the Bendigo Bank Board in August 2006.

Mr Barry Steggall is the former State Deputy Leader of the National Party and Member for Swan Hill (1983 – 2002). Mr Steggall specialised in water, environment and food industry issues during his Parliamentary career. He is a member of the Victorian Water Trust Advisory Council and Chairman of the Groundwater Reference Committee.

Mr Terry Francis has international and national experience in road and infrastructure engineering, project management and corporate banking. He is a Director of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, Nylex, RMIT International and Boom Logistics. He is also Chairman of the Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority.

Mr Peter McCamish has been a Goulburn Valley horticulturist for 34 years. He is a Director of SD Reid Holdings, a Tasmanian cherry grower and exporter, and a former Director of SPC Ardmona Ltd. He is a member of the Shepparton Irrigation Implementation Committee, the Food Bowl Modernisation Project Steering Committee and a Director of Water for Rivers.

Mr Geoff Akers is a member of the Food Bowl Steering Modernisation Committee, Deputy Chair VFF Water Council and Board member of Dairy Australia. Mr Akers has a Bachelor of Applied Science, Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and is a dairy farmer at Tallygaroopna.

Ms Miranda Douglas-Crane has more than 30 years of private and public sector experience in the transport infrastructure, automotive financial and services industries. Ms Douglas-Crane is currently Executive General Manager Operations with the RACV.

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Goulburn pipeline contractor appointed

John Holland Group will construct the Sugarloaf Pipeline, linking the Goulburn River to the Sugarloaf Reservoir, Water Minister Tim Holding announced today.

Mr Holding said John Holland was one of Australia’s largest and most diverse specialist contracting businesses – with a portfolio including tunnelling and underground mining to power and water projects – which brings a wealth of experience to the project team.

“The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a key part of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project and integral in the $4.9 billion Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan,” Mr Holding said.

“John Holland will work with Melbourne Water and existing alliance partners GHD and SKM, in the finalisation of plans for the pipeline construction, expected to begin as early as April 2008.

“The Sugarloaf Pipeline will be a key piece of infrastructure in the $1 billion modernisation project, which will see irrigators, the environment and Melbourne share in water savings of around 225 billion litres of water annually.

“The water savings will result from upgrading infrastructure and channels in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. The pipeline will enable Melbourne to receive a shared benefit from the investment.”

Melbourne Water Managing Director Rob Skinner said the organisation was pleased to add John Holland to the team and looked forward to rolling out a final alignment and delivering the project in the new year.

“John Holland will now assist the project team in finalising the pipeline route, completing the engineering and design efforts, and laying the new pipeline,” Mr Skinner said.

“They will also be performing the reinstatement works along the pipeline alignment in close consultation with impacted landowners and Melbourne Water.

“An announcement on final alignment was expected early in the new year, following an extensive program of survey works and community consultation throughout the pipeline corridor.”

Average water bills in Melbourne, currently at least 20 per cent lower than any other capital city, are expected to double over the next five years to pay for the pipeline and the desalination plant.

Earlier this week the Victorian Government announced its response to the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee report.

Of the 52 recommendations from the Steering Committee, 50 have been adopted and a new body, the Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project, has been established to oversee the irrigation upgrades.

The Minister for Planning will decide before the end of the year if an Environment Effects Statement is required for the project.

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Nationals announce scholarship for young leaders 2008

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced that The Nationals Scholarship program For Young Leaders will run again in 2008. The scholarship will financially assist students from rural and regional Victoria in the first year of their chosen tertiary course.

The total value of the Scholarship is $15,000 over three years which may be shared amongst one or more successful applicants.

“The scholarship has been a great success over the past two years. One of the winners from last year was Brendan Lawley from Benalla. Brendan has this year studied Media & Communications at the University of Melbourne and hopes to attain employment in regional Victoria.”

“The Nationals Scholarship offers students a great opportunity to gain financial assistance with their studies and helps reinforce the need to attract promising young leaders to continue to reside and work in country Victoria.”

The selection criteria for The Nationals Scholarship includes the applicant’s academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement. It is intended that The Nationals Scholarship be awarded to students who are intending to return to or remain in the country after their course and demonstrate a career commitment that will ultimately benefit rural/regional Victoria. Special consideration may be given to students in hardship situations for whom the scholarship will provide major assistance.

Dr Sykes concluded, “In previous years the response from students around country Victoria has been overwhelming and of a high calibre and I strongly encourage interested students to submit an application.
The application process will open on 1 January 2008 and close on 25 February 2008. Forms can be downloaded from The Nationals website: www.vic.nationals.org.au

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One month left for energy rebates: Sykes

Local MP Bill Sykes is urging people across the Benalla Electorate to apply for energy use concessions now available through the State Government – but he says those eligible had better be quick.

“There is a short window for people to apply for the rebates, as the 2007 Non Mains Winter Energy Concession program closes on 31st January, just over a month away,” Dr Sykes said.

“Around 21,000 people accessed the rebates last year and I urge people to check their eligibility and ensure they fill out their forms in time to claim rebates for 2007.”

The concession program provides a rebate to Victorian concession cardholders — including pensioners, Centrelink Health Care Card holders and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders — reliant on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), alternative fuel such as heating oil, and/or non-mains metered electricity for domestic heating and cooking.

Dr Sykes said the three-tiered system delivered rebates ranging from $19.50 for low end non-mains energy use, to $145 for concession cardholders for bills of more than $609.

The Nationals MP said those using bottled gas, non-mains electricity and other alternative fuels had been paying much higher prices for years, and while the rebates now available offered small assistance, the system should be restructured to be more equitable in the future.

“For many people, the Christmas and New Year break will be their last chance to fill in forms to claim this concession. They should take up the opportunity.”

Application forms are available from LPG suppliers, caravan park proprietors, local councils, rooming houses, financial counsellors, or by contacting the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

Eligible concession cardholders must return completed application forms to the Department of Human Services, Concessions Units for processing by 31 January 2008.

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Complaint hotline for Next-G service complaints

“Local residents who have complaints about NextG mobile phone reception can now call (03) 5721 5089 to voice their frustration,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“This will be an important independent mechanism to ensure that local mobile phone blackspots are not forgotten by the city-focused Rudd Government,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The newly elected Rudd Government must not forget the needs of country mobile phone users in the transition from Telstra’s CDMA to NextG services.”

“The hotline, staffed by volunteers from my office, will be open from 9am to 5pm each business day, with an answering machine available after hours to record complaints.”

“Each complaint will then be individually forwarded to the Minister for Communications to let him know of areas that need to be corrected.”

“The former Coalition Government required that Telstra – as a condition of their license to offer mobile phone services – must ensure that NextG services are equivalent or better than CDMA services before turning off CDMA services. An independent audit, established by the Coalition, is currently investigating this issue.”

In a recent letter to the Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, Mrs Mirabella asked for assurances that Labor will maintain the Coalition’s license condition requiring NextG services to be equivalent or better to CDMA services. The license condition was initially introduced subsequent to Mrs Mirabella’s strong advocacy on behalf of rural Australians.

“I hope that Labor does not turn its backs on country Australia now that the election is over. They have a responsibility to govern for all Australians.”

“From my discussions with residents in the north-east – be it in Mansfield, Tolmie, Rutherglen or Barnawartha – there is a creeping sense of dissatisfaction at the level of service offered by the Next G network as it stands. I myself can vouch for this as I recently had to switch from my CDMA mobile telephone to a Next G handset.”

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Zuvele Leschen: AEC finding on BATA donations to "Friends of Indi"

The AEC has released its findings on the non disclosure of donations by BATA to the Federal member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, 2004 election campaign.

The AEC found that, as money raised by ‘Friends of Indi’ was for the benefit of Mrs Mirabella rather than the Liberal Party, the onus was on either Mrs Mirabella or the Liberal Party – not ‘Friends of Indi’ – to declare the funds.

As a result, the Liberal Party of Victoria has submitted a late return to the AEC, showing an additional $23,514 in undeclared donations to Mrs Mirabella’s campaign.

“As the Chair of the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, Mrs Mirabella, of all people, should have been aware of this obligation,” the ALP spokesperson for Indi, Zuvele Leschen, said today.

“Knowing that she had received money from this organization (something the local Liberal Party organization was not aware of), she should also have questioned where the money had come from.”

“Either she failed in this basic act of probity or she knew that ‘Friends of Indi’ received money from BATA.”

“If she knew that the money came from BATA – and given that BATA’s own records show that the money was sent to her electorate office, it’s hard to see how she couldn’t have – she should have declared this when she was involved in negotiations with the government over the demise of the tobacco industry.”

“The AEC finding does not let Mrs Mirabella off the hook. It confirms that she should have known about the money, and in that case she should also have known how it was raised.”

“The whole issue raises questions about Mrs Mirabella’s actions during the negotiations over the closure of the tobacco industry.”

“Mrs Mirabella needs to answer these questions if she wishes the matter to be put to rest.”

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Another reason to cancel the melbourne pipeline

“The recent Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s (MDBC) drought update is another reason for the Labor Party to cancel their plot to flush water from the North-East down to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The core message of the MDBC was that the worst drought on record is continuing to bite hard throughout Australia’s food bowl,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“When our food bowl suffers, Australia suffers – and the correct response is to do everything we can to increase the water in the food bowl, not flush it down to Melbourne.”

The MDBC said, “Total Murray storage was now around 550 GL lower than this time last year and less than 1% of divertible water was available for critical environmental watering to protect endangered species and habitats.”

“The Murray system currently has the lowest storage for this time of year since 1940, around 25% less than last year. This means that there is not enough water in the system to be able to afford to pipe water to Melbourne,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This is the second major drought update in the last week to highlight the very low water supplies in our area. The Labor Party must now listen to this, and reverse its plot to flush our water down to Melbourne.”

Last week, the Bureau of Meterology advised that “multi-year rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and southwest of the country. Several years of above average rainfall are required to remove the very long-term deficits.”

“These record low storage records are a result of the lowest two year inflows on record. It is not rocket science to realise that if inflows are down, outflows must also fall,” Mrs Mirabella said.

A copy of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s Drought Update is available at www.mdbc.gov.au

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Meeting of the Council of Australian Governments

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell says he is looking forward to taking a seat at the table at the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting in Melbourne on December 20 to progress the national reform agenda.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has indicated that discussions will centre on health, hospitals, climate change, carbon trading schemes, water, education, skills and training, infrastructure, business deregulation and housing.

Cr Bell said local government was particularly concerned about the state of Australia's infrastructure and noted the meeting would discuss the establishment of Infrastructure Australia to audit Australia's infrastructure bottlenecks.

"ALGA will also be actively involved in discussions over the Government's push for more streamlined development approval processes. We will work to ensure that measures to reduce infrastructure charges and developer costs do not involve any cost-shifting onto local government and serve the best interests of local communities."

The CoAG meeting will agree on a comprehensive program of work for CoAG for 2008 with agreed objectives and reporting timelines.

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Murray-Darling Snub highlights Labor priorities

Local governments along the Murray River are right to be disappointed at Labor’s refusal to discuss the number one issue confronting many rural communities at COAG,” Sophie Mirabella, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, said today.

“Before the election, the Labor Party claimed that ‘Urgent action is needed by all governments.’ We are now beginning to see Labor ‘change it all’ and decide that it is no longer urgent,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“If COAG discussion of water is delayed, it will allow Victorian Premier John Brumby to build a pipeline flushing water out of the Murray-Darling system for use in metropolitan Melbourne.”

“This pipeline represents a clear and present danger to water supplies throughout the basin, just days after the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that water supplies were ‘severely stressed.’

Prior to the election, Anthony Albanese, the then-Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water, said:
“If we don’t restore the health of our river systems as quickly as we can, then the communities, farmers and industries that rely on them will suffer grievously. Unless we act now, essential water supplies to Adelaide from the Murray River will be put seriously at risk.”

“Labor was correct then, when they supported the Coalition’s plan to urgently address the challenge of the Murray-Darling basin. Labor is now wrong to delay and procrastinate on the issue.”

“For the city-focused Labor Party, it is merely an abstract issue. For people living in rural Australia, it is a matter of their town’s survival and future growth.”

“When Labor were trying to harvest votes, their rhetoric was filled with urgency and importance. Now that the election is over, we are already seeing a very different face from Labor,” Mrs Mirabella said.

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Mokoan to close: Broken Valley gutted

Irrigators in the Broken Valley feel gutted following the Minister for Water’s announcement that the decommissioning of Lake Mokoan will proceed.

Local MP Bill Sykes said, “The Minister’s decision to fully decommission Lake Mokoan based on incorrect information fed to him by deceitful senior DSE bureaucrats has ripped the heart out of the local community who have waged a six year battle to retain Lake Mokoan in some form.

“What galls me is that the DSE have deceived the Minister, leading him to believe that they have had continuous consultation with irrigators in recent months and that irrigator’s input was sought by the independent experts appointed to assess the irrigator’s alternative proposal.

“Nothing could be further from the truth!

“As a result the Minister’s press release trots out ‘DSE facts’ which are totally incorrect.

“For example, when irrigators last spoke with DSE, DSE agreed that water savings for a ‘mini’ Lake Mokoan were very close to those achieved by total decommissioning ie 33,500 ML vs 34,000 ML.

“The Minister’s press release states 12,000 ML difference – all of this 12,000 ML is in fact water purchased from irrigators which is unrelated to savings from reduced evaporation and can be part of a range of proposals including the irrigator’s proposal.

“Similarly, claims that the cost of the irrigator’s proposal is $35 - $50 million more than total decommissioning disregards actual costs for a similar project at Barren Box Swamp, with DSE preferring to grossly inflate the costs of dam wall construction to $6 million/km vs actual costs of around $2 million/km.”

Dr Sykes continued, “This ill informed decision by the Minister is compounded by his failure to share any of the benefits of the water savings with local irrigators or compensate them for the loss of their future.

Dr Sykes concluded, “Regrettably the decision to proceed with decommissioning Lake Mokoan, based on fictitious figures, is not an isolated incident; the North-South pipeline project is proceeding exactly the same way.

“Clearly the Labor Government is planning to continue to rape and pillage country Victorians rather than implement alternative sound, locally based water savings projects to meet Melbourne’s burgeoning water needs.

“It’s not over yet.”

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Labor in Indi achieves best result since WWII

The election results for Indi were declared at the AEC this morning (11 Dec), with the final figures showing a 7.07% swing to Labor on a two party preferred basis.

The ALP candidate for Indi, Zuvele Leschen, welcomed the result, saying that the two party preferred result was the highest achieved for Labor in Indi over the last fifty years.

“The swing on primary votes has been particularly pleasing,” she said. “In the past, the ALP has seen big swings with the two party preferred vote, but hasn’t been able to secure a primary vote of more than 28%.”

“A 5.89% on primaries means that Labor’s primary vote in Indi is now over 32%.”

“As well as this, the swing achieved was the second highest in the State against a sitting member, and well above both the Victorian (5.23) and regional (4.6) average,” Zuvele Leschen said.

“When you consider that this was achieved on a very limited budget – Mrs Mirabella would have spent at least ten times the money we did – this achievement is even more remarkable.”

“Although I would love to claim full credit for the result, I have to attribute at least part of this swing to Mrs Mirabella’s own shortcomings as a local member.”

“Time and time again, dyed in the wool conservatives approached me with the comment that Mrs Mirabella may represent the Liberal Party but she does not represent this area.”

“I would urge Mrs Mirabella to listen to the message this result gives her.”

Zuvele Leschen said that she could not have achieved such good results without the support of many people across the electorate.

“I’ve been involved in every election in Indi since 1996,” Zuvele Leschen said. “I’ve never seen so many people willing to support an ALP campaign in so many different ways before.”

“I would like to thank all those out there who helped, and – of course – all of those who showed their support at the ballot box.”

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Weather Bureau confirms pipeline should be stopped

“The just-released drought statement by the Bureau of Meteorology is another reason to cancel Labor’s proposed pipeline to flush water to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

In the drought statement, the Bureau of Meterology said:
For the 6-month period from June to November 2007 an area of serious to severe rainfall deficiencies covered much of central and northeast SA, together with patches in the southern NT, southwest Queensland, southern NSW, Victoria, scattered parts of WA and an area in eastern Tasmania.

In addition, the Bureau said:
The deficiencies discussed above have occurred against a backdrop of multi-year rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and southwest of the country. Several years of above average rainfall are required to remove the very long-term deficits.

“The Federal Minister for Water, Senator Penny Wong, must now step in and order her Labor colleagues to cancel their plans to steal water out of the Murray-Goulburn system,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This is a key test for the new Federal Labor Party – whether they have the integrity to stand up for what is right for the Murray system, or whether they will buckle to the pressure of their Labor mates in Melbourne.”

“Senator Wong, from South Australia, should be acutely aware of the impact of the Labor Party’s plot to take water out of the system. Other potential users of the water, including towns and irrigators, will be severely hurt by this policy.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s statement is available online at http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/climate/drought/20071205.shtml

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Positive response to local government and infrastructure ministry

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has welcomed the announcement that local government and infrastructure will be combined in a super-ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government.

"I congratulate Anthony Albanese on his appointment as Minister and am delighted that local government concerns such as roads, infrastructure, community building and developing regions, have been combined in a Cabinet portfolio," Cr Bell said.

Cr Bell also congratulated Gary Gray on his appointment as the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia.

"I am still waiting to hear about the break-up of responsibilities and believe that Mr Gray may be responsible for economic development in the regions, particularly Northern Australia, and working closely with Minister Albanese on roads and infrastructure," he said.

Cr Bell said he had written to Minister Albanese seeking a meeting at the earliest opportunity to discuss ALGA's priorities, including the backlog in the renewal of community infrastructure, the time table for constitutional recognition and the emerging challenges facing local government in the areas of water security, climate change, urban policy and the provision of broadband. Cr Bell said he particularly would like to discuss Labor's plans for setting up a Roads to Recovery-style program, which Labor has promised to fund and look at expanding grants to encompass public transport-related projects.

Following the National General Assembly of Local Government last week, Cr Bell announced local government's decision to hold a Constitutional Forum late in 2008. Cr Bell said ALGA would work cooperatively with Mr Albanese to establish the Council of Australian Local Governments.

Labor has said the new Council would allow local and Federal governments to discuss issues of national importance, ensure local government has a more effective voice at the Council of Australian Governments and generally help governments work together to achieve better outcomes for local communities. One of the first tasks for the new Council would be to plan for a national referendum on the Constitutional recognition of local government.

"Minister Albanese has a long-standing interest in infrastructure, dating back to his maiden speech to Parliament in 1996 when he spoke of the need for long-term infrastructure planning," Cr Bell said. "As Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water, he is also well aware of the critical issues of climate change and the need to protect our water resources. He also spoke enthusiastically in favour of the Parliamentary Motion which passed both Houses last year recognising local government's role in the federation. I look forward to working on developing a strong partnership with Minister Albanese, Mr Gray and the Federal Government on the key priorities facing local communities throughout Australia."

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Nationals get overwhelming support for 'smoking in cars' ban prposal

The Nationals Member for Lowan and spokesperson on Health and Children Hugh Delahunty says he and his colleagues had been overwhelmed by the level of support for a ban on cigarette smoking in cars when children are present.

“The Nationals yesterday gave notice in State Parliament that they intend to introduce a Private Members Bill to ban smoking in a vehicle where is child is present and make it illegal for children under 18 to purchase and possess tobacco products,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Banning smoking in cars when children are present will send a clear message to the community that the Nationals are serious about protecting the health of young people,” Mr Delahunty said.

“In a perfect world, everyone would have the common sense to not smoke in a car with children but we must take action to protect the health of young people. There are a range of serious ailments which can affect children when they are exposed to second hand smoke, and the long-term links between smoking and fatal diseases are well documented.”

“Such bans are already in place in South Australia and they will come into effect in Tasmania on January 1, 2008. New South Wales and Queensland are also heading in the same direction and the WA State Government is undertaking a major education program,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the push towards banning underage smoking was also intended to send a consistent message to young people about the dangers of tobacco products.

“The rate of cigarette smoking among adults has virtually halved in the past 20 years but for Victorian children aged 16-17, the figure is not dropping fast enough,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Our children and young people are our investment in the future and we owe it to them to do everything we can to stop them from taking up the smoking habit. The Brumby Government has placed bans on smoking in school grounds and at State Government sponsored underage music events, but the moment that our children leave those venues, we’re saying it’s OK to light up - we need to stop sending mixed messages to young people,” Mr Delahunty said.

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Minister accepts flawed CFA maps – puts volunteer’s lives at risk

The Minister for Police & Emergency Services failed to commit to halting the roll out of recently released flawed CFA maps when asked to do so by Nationals Spokesperson for Police & Emergency Services, Bill Sykes in Parliament this week.

Dr Sykes said, “The Minister begrudgingly acknowledged that the new maps contain inaccuracies but has failed to commit to halting the roll out of the new maps, highlighting the Government’s disregard for the safety of CFA and other emergency service volunteers and the community they service.”

Dr Sykes continued, “Grass roots CFA members have identified serious inaccuracies in the new maps – including the inclusion of several non existent roads.

“This may lead to delayed response times and the lives of fire and other emergency services personnel being put at risk, if for example, they get caught on a non passable road in the face of a wild fire.

“What galls local CFA members is that the same type of information was accurate in the 1998 version of the CFA maps but because the CFA failed to honour its commitment to have local volunteers proof read the new maps, numerous errors have occurred due to the use of faulty, inaccurate base data”, according to Dr Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “I will continue to support CFA volunteers in their call for the CFA Board and State Government to ensure that maps fulfil the intended purpose of increasing the efficiency and safety of fire brigades and other emergency services responding to emergency calls.

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Mirabella supports Mansfield's pipeline call

“I support Mansfield Shire Council’s call for an Environmental Effects Study (EES) into the Labor Party’s proposed pipeline to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The Labor Party’s plot to flush our water to Melbourne needs to meet their own environmental criteria to investigate the impact on the North-East’s environment,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Mansfield Shire Council passed a motion at its meeting last week asking the State Labor Government to perform an Environmental Effects Study (EES) on their proposed pipeline.

“The Environmental Effects Study must consider how future expansion of the pipeline would devastate our environment. This is particularly important after two Labor-appointed water boards in Melbourne called for the expansion of the pipeline to flush even more water to Melbourne.”

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Tony Kelly, said in a submission to the State Government, “We need to be careful that conditions placed on the interconnector [do] not… compromise the long-term potential that it could deliver for Melbourne.”

This is a common view amongst the Labor Party-appointed water boards, with City West Water recommending that the Government “not specify a limit on the size of the pipeline to be built to Melbourne.”

“These Labor Party appointees want to leave the door open for more water to be piped to Melbourne from the North-East to Melbourne.”

“Despite the community outcry over the pipeline proposal, the Labor Party is refusing to listen to local residents.”

“A recent rally in Bright was arrogantly ignored by the Premier while he was visiting.”

“I can only shudder at the damage that the State Labor Government could wreak on North-East Victoria with the new Rudd Labor Government’s suport.”

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