NEWS DESK
Water now a federal election issue Continued from Page 1 The state government has also listed the HEWS as a high priority project in its strategic directions statement published by the Western Port Integrated Water Management Forum. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill said the scheme would “ensure we have ready access to an abundant supply of water for our fireprone hinterland”. “This water will ensure our peninsula has adequate fire-fighting and environmental protection to secure and expand production of our world renowned horticultural products for decades to come.” Mr Brayne and Cr Gill recently vis-
ited a packing shed at Peninsula Avocados, which is run by the HEWS coauthor, Steve Marshall. Dams are nearly dry on the Main Ridge property and Mr Marshall says he has “only just managed to keep the fruit in prime condition in time for picking and packing”. “Over the last few years we have lost entire crops due to heat waves as the shortage of water across the hinterland has prevented us keeping our fruit cool,” Mr Marshall said. “The HEWS will provide an unlimited and cost effective solution and will transform agriculture for a range of crops right across our region.” Mr Marshall said it would “make
sense in a federal election year for both sides of politics to make a clear commitment to at least fund the detailed design and feasibility for the HEWS”.
Clarification Nepean MP Chris Brayne wants to make it clear that he does not intend to hire his former Liberal opponent, Russell Joseph, as a consultant, although he is willing to “tap into” Mr Joseph’s “wealth of knowledge of the peninsula”. The article “New Nepean MP wary of political games’” (6/2/19) suggested Mr Joseph would be offered a consultancy position by Mr Brayne.
Greens in poll field NATHAN Lesslie, above, has been named as the Australian Greens candidate for the seat of Flinders in the May federal election. Mr Lesslie stood for the seat of Hastings in last November’s state election which was won by Liberal Neale Burgess. In his bid to become a federal MP Mr Lesslie is standing against long time Flinders MP, Liberal Greg Hunt, Labor’s Josh Sinclair and former Liberal and now independent Julia banks. Mr Lesslie, 32, married with two children, has been working as a social worker for the past 10 years. He says seeing the barriers faced by the families he supports “has been pivotal in sparking this mission to politically challenge the status quo in order to bring about a fair Australia for all”. As a youngster, he followed a “trajectory [that] was scary to myself and those around me” but his life was saved and shaped because he was able to “get the help I needed which also involved the professional support from a psychologist”. “I am so incredibly lucky to know first-hand the love and compassion that one person can show another can be life changing. I feel this fulfilling joy in trying to support others and this aligns me well with The Greens.”
MAKE THE CALL ASK YOUR ENERGY COMPANY FOR A BETTER DEAL As of January 1st, providers have dropped prices on their most expensively priced plans due to pressure from the Government. But if you really want to save, simply call your energy company and ask them for a better deal. You could lower your bill by $600 a year. Visit our website for tips on calling your energy company.
PoweringForward.energy.gov.au Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.
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Western Port News
13 March 2019
All quiet on Baxter line’s business case FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke has remained tight lipped on the progress of a business case investigating the extension of the Frankston line to Baxter. Mr Edbrooke did not answer questions from The News asking for an update of when the case would be completed. The $3 million business case, paid for with federal funding, was started in April of last year. The media release stated it was expected to be completed by “early 2019”. The state Labor government is the missing piece in the project, with both major parties at federal level committed to the project. Dunkley MP Chris Crethwer said “as the railway line is state Labor government owned and managed, they are undertaking the business plan using $3 million of federal Liberal government funding I secured, and need to authorise the project to proceed. Unfortunately, Labor at the state government level have continued to play politics over the issue, instead of putting our community first, by both delaying the commencement of the business plan to begin with and now delaying the completion of the business plan. “My aim is still for the project to commence in late 2019, and Labor need to finish the business plan, contribute funding towards the project and allow it to commence as soon as possible. Labor’s delays continue to push back the potential start date for the project build,” he said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison reaffirmed the government’s $228 million commitment in a visit to Leawarra Station in September of last year. Dunkley Labor candidate Peta Murphy said “A federal Labor government will move quickly to deliver the extension of the metro line to Baxter.” The Victorian state Liberals had pledged to provide $225 million to the project if they won last year’s state election, which they went on to lose in a landslide. Brodie Cowburn