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Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability

Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support.

By news@gippsland - 20th February 2026 - Back to News

The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has taken the Allan Labor Government to task for shirking questions about a sobering-up facility slated for the Latrobe Valley. More than two years since Labor promised it would provide a new service in Morwell to respond to public intoxication, the facility still hasn’t been established, and the Minister for Health has gone to ground.

The sobering-up centres followed Labor’s decriminalisation of public drunkenness, leaving police powerless and promised health-led responses in the Latrobe Valley unimplemented, Cameron said

Questions left unanswered

Mr Cameron said, "More than a year ago I asked the Minister about the sobering-up centre and outreach services promised for Morwell and I still haven’t received an answer. Under standing orders, Ministers are required to respond to questions within 30 days.

"I have followed up 9 times in Parliament, and the Speaker has reminded the Minister of her duty to respond several times, but we are still none the wiser. "This sort of arrogance and refusal to respond to genuine questions asked on behalf of Victorians is typical of Labor," Mr Cameron said.

Community safety neglected

The rollout of sobering-up centres was announced in the wake of Labor’s move to decriminalise public drunkenness in Victoria, which removed the ability for police to arrest, detain and transport intoxicated people at risk to themselves or others. "When Labor moved to decriminalise public drunkenness, the Nationals and Liberals warned the public health responses would be inadequate," Mr Cameron said.

"Public drunkenness is a community safety issue in the Latrobe Valley, but police have been stripped of their powers and the health-led response we were promised hasn’t been delivered. Once again, the Latrobe Valley has been short-changed and turfed aside by this citycentric Allan Labor government," he said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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