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Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP

Letter to the Editor

Leader of the Nationals Peter Walsh sent his letter to the editor regarding Daniel Andrews' regional blind spot. Read the full letter below.

By news@gippsland - 25th July 2016 - Back to News

Dear Editor,

Managing population growth is one of the biggest challenges and opportunities we face in Victoria.

Up to 10 million residents could call our state home by 2051, with much of that growth – about 80 per cent – expected to be in Greater Melbourne.

The Nationals believe our future prosperity depends on developing the whole of the state.

It can’t just be about Melbourne, and to a lesser extent, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.

Disappointingly, growing regional Victoria is a blind spot for this city-centric Labor Government.

Each year, our state grows by about 100,000 people, but just eight per cent of that growth is in regional Victoria.

It has forced us into the position of severe decline in some regional areas, while Melbourne is bursting at the seams.

If Daniel Andrews spent more time beyond Melbourne’s tram tracks, he would discover endless opportunities – a high quality of life, a loyal workforce with low rates of absenteeism and people who are genuinely committed to the future prosperity of their community.

The Liberal-Nationals Coalition is strongly focused on managing Victoria’s growing population. We established a Victorian Population Taskforce in April to investigate this important issue.

The sad reality is that the further you live from Melbourne the less you get from this government. Only the Liberal-Nationals Coalition is planning for the future of regional Victoria.

Media contact: Emma Manser 0437 225 386 emma.manser@opposition.vic.gov.au