Ranges
8
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Tuesday, 28 June, 2016
Trader
4-5
A Mail News Group publication
Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
Election guide
28-29
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Votes will count
EMERALD-based radio station 3MDR is fostering robust debate throughout the Yarra Ranges before the federal election this weekend. Broadcaster Judy-Ann Steed has aimed to mediate hot topics such as health care in Australia and the roll-out of the NBN. On Thursday, 30 June, guests are to include representatives from the Palmer United Party and the Mature Party. Pictured is broadcaster Judy-Ann Steed (top) with (bottom, from left) Greens candidate Elissa Sutherland, Naomi Halpern from the Nick Xenophon Team, and Rise Up Australia candidate Picture: ROB CAREW Rosalie Crestani. 155893
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AS VOTERS in La Trobe head to polling booths this Saturday, 2 July, one thing is for certain - their vote will shape the region significantly for years to come. Throughout this lengthy election campaign, there have been numerous funding commitments pledged for the electorate. From the two majors, the incumbent Liberals have put forward tourism-based and environment-based commitments, while Labor has put its faith in a ramped-up NBN proposal to win over voters. The level of fervour around such announcements could be, in part, due to the marginal status of La Trobe. Traditionally, the electorate has a conservative history, with Labor only winning one term since 1987, when in 2010 Laura Smyth topped now sitting member, Jason Wood. Mr Wood, who first won the seat in 2004, returned after a swing of 5.7 per cent. At the 2013 election, after preferences, Mr Wood gained 47,998 votes to Laura Smyth’s 40,868. Given that this campaign Mr Wood has called in some serious firepower, the Liberals camp must know he will be in a fight to the finish. The big guns have included Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Environment Minister Greg Hunt. Meanwhile, Labor’s Simon Curtis is relying on a lure of fibre-to-the-premises NBN to numerous towns within Dandenong Ranges. Mr Curtis recently announced his party would direct NBN Co to roll out the fibreto-the-premises technology to Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Ferny Creek, Kallista, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras, Selby, Sherbrooke, Tecoma and Upwey. NBN was confirmed for the region last year, with a delivery date promised in 2017, though there are many who believe the fibreto-the-node technology proposed will become outdated quickly. The detractors have included Rocco Smit from the Mount Evelyn Chamber of Com-
merce, who told the ‘Mail’ he believed fibreto-the-premises represented a more efficient option. “To take fibre-to-the-node, as opposed to the home, is like putting a Formula One engine in a passenger vehicle - yes, you can do it, but it won’t be sensible and it won’t go much faster,” he said. “The copper wiring will need to be replaced in due course, so they’ll have to double-spend.” Mr Curtis said the fast broadband would enhance the local economy. “That’s why we will roll out fibre-to-thepremises to local communities, and up to two million homes and businesses across the nation,” he said. Mr Curtis said delivery of the local NBN rollout was long overdue. In reply, Mr Wood said Labor’s NBN policy would leave residents in La Trobe waiting longer and paying more for broadband. “Under Labor’s NBN, you’ll wait longer and pay more,” Mr Wood said. “Labor’s NBN policy is to slow down the rollout in Kalorama, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Olinda, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Ferny Creek, Kallista, Sassafras, Selby, Sherbrooke, Tecoma and Upwey because they will dig up everyone’s front garden and driveway, despite technologies being available that avoid this. “Labor’s NBN policy means these locations could be waiting until 2022 to connect to the NBN. “Under a Coalition Government, they will have the NBN over the next two years. “Monthly internet bills are also set to rise under Labor, because the policy costs $8 billion more than the Coalition’s. “Under Labor’s last mismanaged rollout, just 670 premises in La Trobe were able to connect to the NBN. “Under the Turnbull Coalition Government, this has increased substantially to 4154 of premises able to connect in La Trobe.” * For full election guide for the Dandenong Ranges, please see pages 4 and 5.
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By PETER DOUGLAS