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Danny O’Brien says pothole crisis highlights need for fair funding and improved regional roads

Gippsland needs fair infrastructure funding as pothole repairs highlight widespread road damage and alleged neglect under Victorian government spending priorities.

By news@gippsland - 19th June 2026 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called for answers on ambulance delays and shortages in the Wellington Shire. Speaking in Parliament, Mr O’Brien, who is also Shadow Assistant Minister for Ambulance Services, asked the Minister for Ambulance Services, Martin Foley what additional services have been added to the Wellington Shire over the past financial year.

Danny O’Brien says Victoria’s pothole crisis shows Gippsland needs fair infrastructure funding and better maintained regional roads under Labor

Ambulance delays concern

Mr O’Brien highlighted that he had recently raised a number of specific examples of concern for ambulance service across the region but was now seeking information on what was being done on a larger scale to prevent such instances from occurring in the future.

"I have had numerous complaints about ambulance services taking a long time or even not being available at all - some people are even just being referred to drive themselves to hospital," Mr O’Brien said.

"I’ve written to the Minister and provided specific details of each of these instances, but I am seeking assurances that steps are being taken to improve the poor performance of our ambulance services given the significant strain on the health system more broadly," said Mr O’Brien.

Response time gap

Recent Ambulance Victoria response time performance data* shows a state average response time of less than 15 minutes in 83.9 per cent of code 1 callouts. This is in comparison to just 60.1 per cent in the Wellington Shire.

"This data is only for code 1 cases - that is emergency responses with lights and sirens that are not able to arrive in under 15 minutes when lives are on the line. We are regularly seeing ambulances having to be dispatched from distant towns because there are just not enough ambulances available when needed. That is not good enough and I seek the information to find out where the new services are for my region," he said.

Ambulance crisis continues

Mr O’Brien said the Andrews Labor government can’t just continue making excuses. "Daniel Andrews said he would end the ambulance crisis and stop ramping - that is ambulances having to wait to offload patients at hospitals - but this has clearly not occurred.

"Indeed, the feedback I get from the community and our hard-working paramedics is that things have never been tougher. It’s up to the Andrews government to address these issues and ensure that people in the greatest need of an ambulance get it as quickly as possible," said Mr O’Brien.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Cycling Without Age Gippsland returns with free trishaw rides around Sale’s Lake Guthridge for community passengers and visitors
  Cycling Without Age Gippsland has resumed free trishaw rides at Lake Guthridge, Sale, welcoming Central Gippsland Health passengers and 16 floral art convention visitors, while inviting bookings and new volunteers.
• Bass Coast and South Gippsland businesses invited to connect, collaborate and network at upcoming Meet the Makers event in Meeniyan on 13 October 2026
  Local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland are invited to Meet the Makers in Meeniyan on October 13, offering networking, collaboration and showcasing opportunities.
• Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
  Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements.
• Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
  The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events.
• Latrobe City recognised among Australia's most affordable regional centres for businesses, investors and skilled workers
  Latrobe City welcomes research ranking Traralgon-Morwell third nationally for affordability, highlighting lower costs, skilled workers, infrastructure and investment opportunities across emerging industries.
• Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
  East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects.
• Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
  A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• Martin Cameron and Melina Bath heard Gippsland builders’ concerns, pledge reforms to improve housing affordability and supply
  Martin Cameron and Melina Bath met Gippsland builders to discuss housing affordability challenges, citing rising taxes, fees and planning delays. The Nationals and Liberals propose faster approvals, increased land supply and tax relief.
• Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
  Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades.
• Darren Chester welcomes CBA Branch commitment, calls for stronger long-term regional banking protections across Gippsland
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s commitment to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while seeking stronger long-term protections for face-to-face banking services.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
  The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.
• Darren Chester met Latrobe Health Assembly representatives to discuss tackling youth food insecurity, poor nutrition and regional health priorities
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester is exploring funding for a Latrobe Valley initiative involving local health and education organisations to provide free healthy meals twice weekly, addressing student hunger, poor nutrition and wellbeing.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.