The coalition was, to my mind, a way of increasing the influence of the Mildura electorate in the upper house, particularly on regional rate reform, which is of critical importance to our community.
I was a councillor for six years. During that time, I experienced all the attacks that come with being blamed for rate pressures that are simply beyond Council’s control.
Even this week, I saw a local news report inviting criticism at Council for increasing rates to the full extent of the rate cap. That is just not fair.
The scandalous disparity between rural/regional and city rates is not Mildura Council’s fault. It is the result of structural inequities at State and Federal level. That’s where the work has to be done. That’s where the pressure needs to be directed.
That’s why I made the bold move in December last year to form a coalition with Fiona Patten, an MP with a proven record for ground-breaking policy reform in the Victorian Parliament.
I had developed a great working relationship with Fiona as co-chairs of the Industrial Hemp Taskforce, alongside then Agriculture Minister, Jaclyn Symes. I admired Fiona’s skill and finesse as a politician and I entered the Reason coalition with the best of intentions.
But over the course of the past five months, I found myself becoming increasingly drawn into the world of party politics and game-playing. Increasingly I was being called upon to answer for the conduct of others. This was becoming a major distraction for me and my hard-working, dedicated team.
Yesterday I drew a line in the sand and made a decisive call. All my constituents want is hard work and results. No games. No distractions. That’s what they deserve, and that’s what I’ll deliver, on my own terms.
