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Peter Ryan – A Champion For Country VictoriaThe Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Danny OfBrien, has paid tribute to outgoing Nationals
Leader, Peter Ryan as a great servant of country Victoria.
By Danny O'Brien - 12th December 2014 - Back to News Mr OfBrien, who is set to be re]elected after Saturdayfs election, said Peter Ryan was the best
Victorian leader The Nationals had ever had and a strong champion of the interests of country
people.
gI have worked with and for Peter Ryan for many years now and have the utmost respect for his
intellect, passion, integrity and political skill.
gPeter Ryan took on the leadership of the party in very dark times after the fall of the Kennett
Government and refocussed The Nationals onto our core task of representing the interests of
country people. Despite the many doomsayers, he rebuilt the party into a strong force that
ultimately led to the election of the Coalition Government in 2010 with The Nationals in the
balance of power position.
gUsing that influence, he delivered the unprecedented $1 billion Regional Growth Fund that has
helped create jobs and developed local infrastructure throughout the country areas of the state.
gThat is just one of the many positive legacies of The Nationals in Government.h
Mr OfBrien said few people would realise that Peter Ryan was far and away the longest serving
current leader of any political party in the country, a testament to his tenacity and leadership
strength.
gWith Peter at the helm The Nationals delivered for Gippsland and made election commitments
that no other party matched in the region. While it is disappointing to lose government and not
see those new commitments delivered, The Nationals will continue to stand up for country people
and keep the new Labor Government accountable.
gIn Gippsland we are pleased that Mr Ryan in Gippsland South, Member for Gippsland East, Tim
Bull and Member for Morwell, Russell Northe have all been returned.
gRussell Northe fought a tough campaign and will be re]elected on his great record of fighting for
the Latrobe Valley. We never considered Morwell a safe seat for one second and Russell and I will
continue to advocate for the Valleyfs interests. Morwell voters have shown over the years that
they will change their vote ] we are acutely aware of that and will continue to fight on their
behalf.h
Mr OfBrien said despite the very disappointing loss of the seat of Shepparton, there were positives
for The Nationals from the election.
danny.ofbrien@parliament.vic.gov.au
181 Franklin Street, Traralgon VIC 3844 PO Box 1506, Traralgon VIC 3844
ph 03 5174 7066 fax 03 5176 1266
gWe have had two excellent young women elected in Emma Kealy in Lowan and Steph Ryan who
won a hard]fought three]cornered contest in Euroa, while our preferences have elected Coalition
candidates in Ripon and Eildon. Minor party preference swapping has cost us an upper house seat
in Western Victoria, but all other members have been comfortably returned. The Nationals will
continue to fight for the best interests of country Victoria using the same passion and strength that
Peter Ryan has displayed for the past 15 years.h
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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