Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Labor Ignores Queens Baton Souvenir ScamThe Labor Government is refusing to act on allegations that a scam has duped local Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton relay participants. By Phillip Davis - 19th May 2006 - Back to News Liberal Member for Gippsland Province Philip Davis said the Liberal Party twice raised the issue in Parliament, explaining how relay participants had spent $300 on what was promised to be a "custom-made full-sized replica baton that will look exactly like the official baton".
But when their batons arrived in the mail, participants were disappointed and angry to find an inferior piece of plastic roughly glued together with a few stickers on it to symbolise the flashing lights.
Mr Davis told the Parliament about young Morwell man Derek Evans, who is autistic and was a recent participant in the Queen’s Baton relay.
Derek’s parents purchased a replica baton to give him an official souvenir of participation in the relay – but the baton did not live up to expectations.
"Frankly, I think it is a disgrace," Mr Davis told the Parliament.
"It is a piece of very poor-quality workmanship which I suspect, although I do not know, was not made in Australia.
"If it was, the business that made it should be ashamed. It is not even glued together effectively. The decals are just imitation.
"I ask the Minister to advise how Derek Evans can have a memento of what was, for him, such an important event but not have to pay $300 that he is now out of pocket."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party’s Shadow Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs had also raised the matter in Parliament, but the Government had simply shrugged its shoulders and advised those who are unsatisfied to seek a refund.
But the majority of participants do not want a refund, they simply want the replica baton they were promised.
"The people who have been ripped-off by this scam are those in the community who very often can least afford it and are the engine room of volunteer organisations," Mr Davis said.
"For the Government to simply say if you are not happy, get a refund, is ridiculous."
Mr Davis said the Labor Government had turned its back on decent, hard-working Victorians who in good faith parted with $300 for what they believed would be a quality memento.
These people have been duped and the Labor Government has a responsibility to deliver what it promised relay participants for their hard-earned $300.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. - Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences. - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation. - Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally. - Allan Labor government invests $860,000 to support and strengthen Men's Sheds across Victoria
The Allan Labor government is investing $860,000 to support 31 men's sheds across Victoria, funding upgrades, expansions, and new equipment to strengthen communities and foster connection through shared skills. - Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation. - Labor provides rebates and programs to help regional households switch from costly gas to cheaper electric appliances
The Allan Labor government is supporting 1,183 regional households impacted by Solstice's gas network closure with rebates, discounts, and programs to help them transition to cheaper, energy-efficient electric appliances. - Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Melina Bath urges Labor government to scrap emergency services tax as VFF survey shows farmers' frustration and concern
The Nationals' Melina Bath urged the Allan Labor government to scrap the emergency services tax, citing VFF survey findings showing widespread financial, mental, and regulatory pressures on Victorian farmers. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals. - Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options. - Martin Cameron blasts Labor over Tyers bridge blunder, says government failed truckies and ignored safety warnings
Martin Cameron has criticised Labor after revelations the Tyers bridge weight limit remained at 30 tonnes months after upgrades, accusing the government of negligence and failing regional Victorians. - Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control. - Tim Bull slammed labor for $13M machete amnesty waste, penalising Gippslanders while failing to target urban crime effectively
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticized Labor's $13 million machete amnesty, calling it wasteful, ineffective, and unfairly punishing rural Victorians while targeting areas with no machete problem. - Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction. - Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government, calling Myki's delayed tap-and-go rollout a "mythical unicorn," outdated and incompatible
Victoria's long-promised tap-and-go public transport system has been delayed until 2028, leaving commuters, especially in regional areas, still reliant on outdated Myki cards and paper tickets - Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for decade-long failure to fund replacement CFA stations in Foster and Mirboo North
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for failing to replace outdated Foster and Mirboo North CFA stations, saying volunteers face unsafe conditions despite years of promises and growing community contributions. - Melina Bath condemns Labor government for recycled road funding spin and failure to deliver real investment
Melina Bath has accused the Allan government of recycling old road funding announcements, labelling them propaganda and demanding genuine investment to address the worsening condition of regional Victoria's neglected roads. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates. - Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety. - Martin Cameron demands Labor guarantee Traralgon PSOs won’t be removed amid redeployment to retail precincts
Martin Cameron has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee PSOs won’t be removed from Traralgon, warning redeployment to shopping centres could compromise safety on the region’s already under-resourced rail network. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance. - Danny O'Brien condemns Labor for empty social housing amid growing waitlists and rental shortages in Gippsland
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for leaving social housing vacant as waitlists grow, citing fewer homes, shrinking rental availability, rising costs, and failed policies driving investment away in Gippsland South. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for funding maintenance at Sale College instead of new campus
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for allocating $273,175 in maintenance to Sale College, arguing funds should instead deliver the long-promised new consolidated campus the community has campaigned for since 2017. - Martin Cameron condemns Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, pledges action to combat knife crime
Martin Cameron condemned the Allan Labor government for blocking Jack’s Law, pledging to introduce it if elected, giving police powers to combat knife crime, following its success in other Australian states. - David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry. - David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds. - David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience. - Drouin Picnic Racing Club receives $13,519 upgrade boost through Allan Labor government's Regional Customer Facilities Program
Drouin Picnic Racing Club will receive $13,519 to upgrade facilities and enhance race day experiences, part of the Allan Labor government's $730,000 investment improving regional racing venues statewide. - Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities. - Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads. - Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government veterans medal review limit, undermining Tribunal independence
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned Labor's legislation imposing a 20-year limit on veterans' medal reviews, arguing it undermines the Tribunal's independence and disenfranchises veterans and families seeking fair recognition. - Albanese government limits tribunal powers, undermining veterans' rights and restricting reviews of military honours
The Albanese government has limited the Defence Honours Tribunal, banning reviews of actions over 20 years old, restricting veterans' appeals, and undermining independent recognition of historic military bravery. - Tim Bull slams government over firewood shortages, fuel loads and lack of practical solutions
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has slammed government policy for firewood shortages, warning rising bush fuel loads pose serious risks, calling for extended collection areas, longer seasons and practical fire management. - Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets. - Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs. - Tribunal warns Albanese government's bill removes veterans' rights to review bravery awards and undermines Defence Honours system integrity
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season. - Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability. - Darren Chester supports Tribunal decision to defend veterans' right, opposing Albanese government plan limiting Acts of Gallantry review
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will defend veterans' rights at a Senate inquiry, opposing the Albanese government's plan to impose a 20-year limit on reviewing acts of gallantry. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents.
|
|
