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Nats should first apologise for selling us out: IngramThe Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, said today that he looked forward to the challenge of the next election in 2006. By Craig Ingram - 7th April 2004 - Back to News Mr Ingram’s comments follow a recent statement from the leader of the National Party, Peter Ryan, that the Nats will win back the seat of Gippsland East.
"But first, the national Party should apologise for selling out rural Victoria during the seven years they sat silent in the Kennett Government when East Gippsland’s services were slashed," Mr Ingram said.
"We lost our train; there were cuts to schools, police and our hospitals.
"Victorian taxpayers are continuing to pay for the privatisation of essential services.
"If the National Party had of stood up and be counted at the time instead of lapping up the white cars and the trimmings of office, they would not have lost the seat in the first place
"The Nats have proved time and again that they are lions in their electorates and fluffy kittens in Parliament, especially when in government and I would question if they have learnt anything from the devastation of losing the seat of Gippsland East in 1999.
"We have the classic example of the federal National Party selling out country Australians with the continual support for the full sale of Telstra, even when the vast majority of their constituents oppose the full sale.
"The comments by Peter Ryan that ‘we will win Gippsland East’ highlight the arrogance typical of all political parties who are more concerned about the party than the needs of the people of the area that they pretend to represent.
"It will take more than a nice boat ride on the Gippsland Lakes, a campaign backed by millions of dollars siphoned into the Nationals’ slush funds and more name changes than the DSE to regain the support of the voters of Gippsland East.
"But, ultimately, that decision is in the hands of the people of Gippsland East in 2006," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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