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Sad End To 170-Year Mountain Cattlemen Tradition

The 170-year tradition of grazing cattle in Victoria’s high country is over.

By Philip Davis - 21st June 2005 - Back to News

In one fell swoop, the Bracks Government this afternoon successfully displaced generations of mountain cattlemen and their families, simultaneously erasing an essential part of Australia’s heritage.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said it was a dark day for the mountain cattlemen and everyone in Victoria who held their own heritage dear to their hearts.

He said the Bracks Government had run a dirty campaign against the mountain cattlemen.

"The way Steve Bracks has treated the mountain cattlemen is an absolute disgrace," Mr Davis said.

"The Bracks Government ran misleading radio, television and print advertisements vilifying the mountain cattlemen in an attempt to win a few Green votes.

"If that was not enough, Steve Bracks then forced the Alpine Grazing Bill through both houses of Parliament in the one week.

"Debate in the Upper House was gagged by the Bracks Government and the Bill was automatically passed when it was forced to a vote at 4pm today. Even though consideration of the detail of the Bill was incomplete and the Government had not provided responses to questions."

The Liberal Party opposed the alpine grazing ban every step of the way, but the Bracks Government used its Upper House majority to force it through.

Mr Davis said despite the Bracks Government’s success in kicking the mountain cattlemen out of the high country, the Liberal Party would maintain its unwavering support for the 170-year tradition.

"The Bracks Government has shown its true colours today, totally ignoring the opinions of country Victoria and steaming ahead with its plans to decimate rural and regional communities," he said.

"The Liberal Party will continue its support for country Victoria and overturn the ban on alpine grazing when in government.

"Steve Bracks may have killed the legend of the Man from Snowy River, but he has not killed the spirit of country Victorians and they will fight back," he said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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