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Labor Attempts To Buy Off Mountain CattlemenIt is beyond belief that after the Bracks Government abolished the 170 year old tradition of alpine grazing in the high country it now wants to ‘celebrate’ the history of the mountain cattlemen. By Philip Davis - 14th November 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said he was disgusted that the Bracks Government would attempt to celebrate the history of mountain cattlemen when it was Labor who made them history in the first place by kicking them out of the high country earlier this year.
"It is absolutely laughable that the Minister for Tourism John Pandazopoulos has allocated funds to assist locals and tourists to remember the history of the mountain cattlemen, when it was the Bracks Government which vilified and eradicated them from our community," Mr Davis said.
"Prior to May this year, families were able to visit the High Country and experience a uniquely Australian tradition of mountain cattlemen mustering their stock.
"Now visitors will no longer have the chance to experience this. Instead, mountain cattlemen will be ‘remembered’ through festivals and celebrations – effectively making them into an Australian myth like the Bunyip, rather than a part of contemporary society."
Mr Davis said the Minister’s comments that the funding allocation would be used to "celebrate the life and times of the alpine cattlemen" were an insult. (John Pandazopoulos Media Release 08.11.05)
"These mountain cattlemen who were thrown out of the Alpine National Park are still alive – it was their livelihoods that the Bracks Government killed – the cattlemen are still here," he said.
"The cattlemen went about their business for 170 years until May this year when Labor ended this part of Australia’s heritage."
Mr Davis said the Bracks Government should be ashamed at its attempts to buy off the mountain cattlemen with funding for an annual get-together.
"Despite the Minister’s $5000 donation, the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria Annual Get-Together will from now on be a time for cattlemen to reminisce and lament the injustice inflicted by the Bracks Government," Mr Davis said.
"It will no longer be a celebration of living tradition, but a commiseration of what we have all lost.
"All the Bracks Government has left the cattlemen with are their memories of generation after generation of alpine grazing tradition. The cattlemen have been robbed of the chance to pass this tradition and skills on to future Australians.
"A few thousand dollars thrown towards their annual get-together, which they have funded themselves for many years, does nothing to compensate for that loss."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening. - Tim Bull calls on the state government to prioritise commercial fishers in fuel supply efforts amid ongoing shortages
Tim Bull urges State Government to prioritise fuel access for commercial fishers, highlighting their economic and food production role, while seeking federal excise relief amid rising costs and industry pressures. - Melina Bath demands Allan government release clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment stages
Melina Bath demands the Allan government release a clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital Stages 2 and 3, warning delays leave healthcare workers overburdened and residents facing escalating patient demand. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety. - DEECA invites landcare groups to apply for Victorian government grants with $3.55M in total by 23 April 2026
Victorian Landcare Grants offer $3.55 million to support environmental volunteers, funding projects up to $20,000 that protect nature, restore habitats, and connect communities. Applications close 23 April 2026. - Melina Bath demands Allan government deliver promised 'Youth Crime Prevention Program' for Latrobe Valley
The Nationals are demanding the Allan government deliver the long-promised Youth Crime Prevention Program in Latrobe Valley, addressing rising youth crime, restoring diversion programs, and supporting at-risk young people effectively. - Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state. - Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts. - Farmers demand urgent government action as pest animals surge across East Gippsland and Victoria
Farmers in East Gippsland and eastern Victoria face rising pest animal impacts, with ASAC urging coordinated government action, long-term funding and improved control measures to protect agriculture, livelihoods and communities. - Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery. - Darren Chester calls on Victorian government to prioritise rebuilding Sale College amid safety, ageing infrastructure concerns
Darren Chester has urged the Victorian government to prioritise a new single-site campus for Sale College, citing deteriorating facilities, safety concerns, and long-standing community frustration. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing and socially affordable homes, warns Cr Nathan Hersey
One Gippsland warns Gippsland’s growth risks stalling without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, and social housing to support workforce, industries, and rapidly growing communities across the region. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Omeo Justice Precinct draft masterplan unveiled to preserve heritage, enhance community use, and boost economy
Omeo Mountain Bike Park opens December with over 100km of world-class trails, boosting tourism, jobs, and community pride. Final touches, shuttles, and events promise an inclusive, adventure-filled destination. - South Gippsland immunisation sessions extended with extra times to support community after Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure
Following Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure, immunisation sessions have been extended, offering full-range vaccines for children, adults, pregnant women, and at-risk groups, with extra times available for community bookings. - Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project. - Tim Bull says Health Minister Thomas will only consider the fully prepared Buchan project alongside other priorities
The Allan Labor government has refused funding for the new $6.5 million Buchan Bush Nursing Centre, leaving the ready-to-build project and vital rural healthcare services in limbo, says Tim Bull. - Martin Cameron criticises WorkSafe, calling system flawed after apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Victoria’s "fundamentally broken" WorkSafe system, highlighting apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury, ongoing struggles, and calling for urgent reform, fairer compensation, and better support services. - Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia. - Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, warns One Gippsland Chair
One Gippsland warns growth could stall without urgent investment in housing and infrastructure to support workforce, energy projects, and address social, affordable housing shortages across the region.
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