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Labor Admits Its Neglect Of Country VictoriaCountry Victoria is suffering to such an extent under the Bracks Government that Labor’s own MPs are beginning to revolt. By Philip Davis - 23rd February 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Country Victoria, Philip Davis, said accusations made yesterday by Labor Upper House Member for Ballarat Province Dianne Hadden is proof country Victoria is being neglected by the Bracks Government.
Ms Hadden told ABC radio that her own party was "dumping on" country Victoria, in particular the Ballarat and Gippsland regions.
"The party solidarity has to take a long hard look at itself because it’s dumping on country Victoria, especially in my electorate and down at Gippsland. It’s not listening to the people and it’s got to start doing it. I’ve been asking them to do it for 12 months and they are not listening…"
Ms Hadden also revealed her Labor Party colleagues were prepared to neglect the needs of their country Victorian constituents in an attempt to toe the city-centric Bracks Government party line.
"…they were prepared to break their oath or affirmation that they made to the Parliament, which is to represent your constituents to the best of your ability without fear of favour."
Mr Davis also agreed with Ms Hadden’s further comments that the Bracks Government has failed to represent its country Victorian communities as promised, particularly on the issues of wind farms and natural gas reticulation.
"If there was need for further evidence that the Bracks Government is neglecting country Victoria, a Labor member speaking out is it," Mr Davis said.
"The Bracks Government has time and time again ignored country Victorians, merely giving them lip service while they plan to slap huge wind farms or toxic waste dumps in the middle of their communities.
"Labor promised before the 2002 election that country towns would be connected to reticulated natural gas by 2006. Not one town has been connected.
"Labor also pledged at the 1999 election that country Victorian towns would be connected to metropolitan areas through the Fast Rail project, but yet again Steve Bracks has failed to deliver.
"The city-centric Bracks Government does not have a clue about the issues facing country Victorians. It would rather a slick photo opportunity than listen to the real concerns of country Victorians.
"The Liberal Party is the only party representing the whole of Victoria."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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