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Country Victorians Shiver Over Broken Labor Gas PromiseAt least 29 country Victorian towns have been let down by the Bracks Government’s failed promise to connect them to reticulated natural gas. By Philip Davis - 22nd July 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis yesterday asked the Minister for Energy Industries and Resources Theo Theophanous in Parliament how many towns the Bracks Government had connected to natural gas as promised prior to the 2002 election. The Minister was unable to answer the question, because not one new town has been reticulated since the 2002 election.
"I asked Theo Theophanous during question time which towns in country Victoria, promised natural gas reticulation connection by Bracks Government Ministers, members and candidates prior to the 2002 election, have actually been reticulated and connected to date," Mr Davis said.
"The Minister skirted around the question, admitting 29 towns had been promised gas, but he could not explain why none of these towns have been connected as promised.
"What Theo Theophanous failed to tell the Parliament is that the Bracks Government dropped the ball on this project just after the 2002 election and has no real plans to see the commitments through. Town after town throughout country Victoria was promised reticulated natural gas in the build-up to the 2002 election – it was the preferred election platform for countless Labor candidates for regional seats.
"But three years later, country Victorians are now seeing the value of the Bracks Government’s election promises as they shiver through another cold winter and pay exorbitant electricity and LPG heating costs."
Mr Davis said he feared similar announcements to the ones in Avoca earlier this year, where the Labor Member for Ripon Joe Helper and Minister for State and Regional Development John Brumby reneged on their commitment to connect the town to natural gas.
Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, has also since announced his pre-election promise to connect Wandong-Heathcote Junction has been broken.
"The Liberal Party fears there will be more to come throughout country Victoria," Mr Davis said.
"Theo Theophanous was also unable to explain the broken promise of gas to Wandong, especially in light of the Minister’s announcement on 1 June this year that Victoria would supply gas to Mount Gambier and south-eastern South Australia. The Bracks Government sees fit to send our gas to interstate towns, but can’t honour a commitment to make it available to country Victorian towns.
"Where are the Bracks Government’s and Energy Minister’s priorities on natural gas?"
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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