Residents across the Lowan electorate will get their fair share of investment and the fresh start they deserve under The Nationals, after the official launch of Our Plan for Regional Victoria.
Launched in Bendigo, where candidates Andrew Lethlean (Bendigo East) and David Hutchings (Bendigo West) are running to win two seats in the heart of regional Victoria, the plan makes regional communities a priority of the next Victorian Government.
At the core of the plan is The Nationals’ Fair Share Guarantee, which will lock in at least 25 per cent of all new government infrastructure investment for regional Victoria.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said regional Victorians currently received less than 12 per cent of new infrastructure investment, despite making up a quarter of the state’s population.
She said the Nationals’ plan would deliver real change for local families.
“The Nationals in government will have a clear focus on the things that country Victorians tell us matter most to them: building better roads, improving rural and regional healthcare, reducing crime, and lowering costs,” she said.
“Whether it’s properly funding our major roads such as the Western, Hamilton and Henty highways to make them safe, rebuilding our health services and attracting more doctors, nurses and professionals to our region, or supporting our hardworking police to tackle crime with extra resources and tougher bail and sentencing laws, our plan will give the people of Lowan a fresh start and the government they deserve.”
Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, said regional Victorians had waited long enough to get their fair share.
“Regional Victorians make up 25 per cent of Victoria’s population, so they should receive 25 per cent of the funding. It’s that simple,” he said.
“For too long, regional Victorians have watched billions flow into Melbourne and into wasteful, corrupt projects while our roads crumble, our hospitals lose services and our local schools wait for the upgrades they desperately need.
“Our Fair Share Guarantee changes that. It locks in regional Victoria’s share of new infrastructure investment and makes sure our communities are no longer at the back of the queue.
“Our plan is about getting the basics right by reducing crime, lowering costs and building better roads, while making sure regional families can access the services they need close to home.
“After 12 years of the Carroll Labor Government, Victoria needs a fresh start and a new government. The only way to make that change is to vote The Nationals into government.”
The plan includes a $5 billion investment to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads, eliminate one million potholes and establish a proper system of preventative road maintenance.
It also commits to 3000 additional police and reopening more than 40 police stations that are currently closed or operating on reduced hours to make communities safer.
The Nationals’ plan also includes scrapping the Carroll Labor Government’s emergency services tax, abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers on properties up to $1 million, restoring the $300,000 land tax-free threshold, and a detailed strategy to manage the economy and bring down cost of living.
Ms Kealy said the people of Lowan deserved the same opportunities and services as people living in Melbourne, and the Nationals’ plan would ensure this.
“The Nationals are ready to govern, we are ready to rebuild regional Victoria and we are ready to deliver country Victorians their fair share,” she said.
The plan is available online here.
