Victorians have been forced to pick up the tab for more Allan Labor Government waste, with the government contracting a lawn mowing service to travel a 722-kilometre round trip from Epping to Nowa Nowa Primary School — despite local businesses being available to do the job at a fraction of the cost.
During questioning in Parliament, Minister for Education Ben Carroll was unable to provide any reasonable explanation for why the Allan Labor Government refused to use local contractors and instead chose a provider almost eight hours away.
The waste does not end there. Further revelations show an arborist from Melbourne being sent on a 632-kilometre round trip to carry out routine maintenance at the same school, work that could easily be completed by qualified locals. These decisions are likely costing thousands of dollars more than necessary, draining resources that could be better spent in classrooms.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Danny O’Brien, said Labor’s decision-making showed a complete disregard for local businesses and workers.
“At a time when families are battling rising bills and a worsening cost-of-living crisis, Labor is wasting thousands of taxpayer dollars sending contractors on eight-hour return trips for work that locals could do. Why aren’t local businesses being considered for such work?
“It’s a ridiculous misuse of public money and yet another example of why Victoria’s finances are in such a mess.”
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the decision also runs contrary to the Government’s own regional procurement commitments.
“Labor repeatedly boasts about supporting regional businesses through its Local Jobs First and Social Procurement Framework policies — both of which are supposed to ensure local contractors get a fair opportunity at government work. Yet here they are sending city-based contractors hundreds of kilometres into East Gippsland for basic school maintenance.
“Labor has already devastated our region through the shutdown of the sustainable native timber industry. Turning their back on local businesses again shows the total disrespect this Government has for regional Victorians.
“The Minister must explain how this contract was approved, how much extra taxpayers have been forced to pay and what steps will be taken to ensure local trades are prioritised from now on.”
