Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP
Irresponsibility and dishonesty with Victorian taxpayer money in $2M debt to MyEnvironment activists by Andrews Labor government
The Andrews Labor government's irresponsibility with Victorian taxpayers' money has been exposed after it refused to pursue a $2 million debt from environmental activists.
In February this year, former Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas wrote to VicForests to discourage it from taking legal action to recover court costs from MyEnvironment activists. At the time, Ms Thomas said no direction was given to VicForests. But after repeated attempts to block the public from seeing the letter, the government caved last week.
'The former minister said it was contrary to public interest - I believe refusing to recover $2 million of taxpayers' money is definitely in the public interest,' says Mr Walsh
Caught by own words
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said the letter reveals Labor's level of dishonesty. "Mary-Anne Thomas has been caught out by her own words, and it shows just what the Andrews Labor government is willing to do for their inner-city votes."
"Labor has put its own interests ahead of the Victorian taxpayer in a letter that contains false advice not to pursue the debt based on the government's own guidelines. It's behaviour symptomatic of the government and how they treat transparency." Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said despite repeated attempts through the Freedom of Information Act to release the letter, it took the threat of VCAT to get the government to be honest with Victorians.
Pictures of Friends of Earth Australia website.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Berninneit in Cowes earns four nominations for prestigious Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter AwardsANZAC Day events across South Gippsland and other shire council updates
Gippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development