IT came as no surprise that former Mildura MP Ali Cupper’s first sentiment on hearing that Premier Daniel Andrews had resigned this week was “good riddance”.
Indeed, much blame for her narrow loss at the state election last year could be laid at the feet of Andrews, who she publicly declared had “betrayed” Mallee residents over the future of health care in the region.
A master plan for health care in the northern Mallee, which was expected to recommend a new or redeveloped hospital, had been completed and was due for release in April, 2022. That plan has still not been publicly released.
“For months, the government gave us false hope and expectation of a new hospital,” Ms Cupper said at the time. “And now, it has betrayed us.”
That betrayal, certainly in a political sense in an election year, cost Ms Cupper dearly.
Had the government delivered, as was expected, then it’s hard to imagine the independent member not getting voted back in last November.
But she ultimately paid a price for challenging the Andrews Government at different stages during her first term in office. And, in typical Dan Andrews’ style, the punishment turned out to be brutal.
Just what Mr Andrews’ legacy will be to the state of Victoria has been the subject of much debate this week.
Many speak of the infrastructure he has built, others the enormous debt the state has been left with.
But let’s focus in on his legacy to country Victoria. My guess is it will not be kind.
For instance, most of the government’s big promises to support the transition the Latrobe Valley away from coal have not yet eventuated, while the government this year brought forward the end of the native timber industry in a snap decision that blindsided the Gippsland town of Heyfield. I grew up down that way and understand the fallout.
There are health services, roads and other services that have been badly neglected in other country electorates.
That the National Party now holds most seats around the border of the state, while Labor holds the many littered around the city, says plenty. They know where the votes are.
Having moved to Mildura almost seven years ago from the marginal seats in Geelong, where government money flows freely, it was a shock to see just how little this region received, particularly around budget time.
On May 2, 2018, Sunraysia Daily ran a front page story headlined ‘Bucks Stop Here’ after a state budget, where then sitting member Peter Crisp said Mildura had been left with “nothing but crumbs”.
I wrote at the time: “Daniel Andrews has again shown himself as a Premier who splashes the cash only in places that will help him win the state election”.
There have been the odd wins since, but overall, little has really changed.
But it is time to look forward. The Daniel Andrews’ era for Victorian Labor is now over.
And Jacinta Allan has stepped in as our new premier.
Ms Allan is from Bendigo, a country person who we hope has country people at heart as she begins her premiership.
In my seven years year living in Mildura, Mr Andrews visited twice. We hope Ms Allan doesn’t avoid this region in the same way.
For starters, the needs of our major hospital are real. And need urgent addressing.
We invite the new premier to come visit, as Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas recently did, and see for herself what needs to be done.
And then figure out what can be done to achieve better outcomes for people in this vast electorate.
It’s a big job governing for all Victorians, but that is what she must do.
We wish her well.
