Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP

More than $200 million down the toilet in Labor’s failed Ice Action Plan

Government’s action towards people seeking help from addiction is leaving them no choice but to turn away because of inaccessibility.

By news@gippsland - 19th April 2021 - Back to News

Hundreds of millions of dollars poured into the Andrews Government’s Ice Action Plan has failed to put a dent in Victoria’s drugs crisis. Drug addiction is ruining lives and livelihoods of more and more Victorians every day.

The community is on the constant battle against ice addiction, which continues to destroy lives across Victoria

More accessible treatment is a must

Reports today reveal Ice addiction is killing at least two Geelong residents every week, with data showing local residents are nearly three times as likely to die from illicit drugs than the state average. It was also recently revealed Victorian methamphetamine users are spending a combined average of $4 million a day to feed their addiction.

The Andrews Labor Government’s impotent response has done nothing to curb this shocking trend. The Andrews Labor Government’s more than $200 million Ice Action Plan has been shown to be wasted money that’s given no return, with figures showing more people are seeking treatment but fewer people are able to access rehab.

Drug related activity and its impact

The severely under-resourced system is forced to turn away people seeking help, with waitlists having blown out to more than 12 months to access treatment. In Melbourne, Labor’s drug injecting room has had horrifying impacts on children at the primary school which is located next door, as well as resulting in more ambulance callouts.

The Police Association have reported a significant increase in drug-related activity in the area. Labor’s failed response has left a trail of devastation, only leading to an increase in drug dependency. Labor’s Ice Plan is destroying lives, tearing apart families and impacting the safety of our communities.

Pictures from The Police Association Victoria Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
  Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal.
• Melina Bath urges action on Gippsland youth crime with tougher penalties, stronger policing, and restored diversion funding
  Melina Bath has demanded urgent action on Gippsland's escalating youth crime, calling for tougher penalties, stronger police presence, and restored diversion program funding to protect communities and restore safety.
• Bass Coast Council launches mid-term review of Climate Change Action Plan, celebrating achievements and inviting community input
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030, celebrating renewable energy achievements and inviting community feedback through surveys, pop-up sessions, engagement events, and a special film screening.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.
• Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
  Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
  The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
• South Gippsland Shire Council seeks community feedback on two proposed accessible locations for new toilet facilities in Nyora's RSL Park
  South Gippsland Shire Council invites feedback on two proposed Nyora RSL Park toilet locations, offering improved safety, accessibility, and amenities. Submissions close Sunday, 12 October 2025.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.
• Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub.