MILDURA has been badly neglected by successive governments and both big parties in relation to rail.
It is a heartbreaking story of dereliction of duty and decades of missed economic opportunities.
The most isolated region in the state should be at the front of the queue for rail, not at the back.
The Murray Basin Rail Project was completed, but not to its original scope.
The finished product is a far cry from the original vision and many of our farmers were sold a false promise.
Almost 30 years ago, our passenger train was taken away. Passenger rail is an essential public service that is provided to every other major regional city in Victoria, except us. We need it back.
We are Victorians too.
This week I launched my Mallee Train Campaign, Mind the Gap, and formally called on the big parties to commit to passenger rail for Mildura and a new deal for freight.
The big parties could do that right now, and they should.
In the meantime, they are on notice that the price for my support in a hung parliament would be rail.
The previous two members for Mildura had the balance of power during their terms.
By his own admission, Russell Savage didn’t use it as effectively as he could have, and our National Party MP didn’t use it at all.
Underlying their reluctance was a general view that their power should be used for the benefit of the whole state, not just us.
My approach would be different. The state has left us behind for decades. We don’t have the luxury of looking after everyone else.
If I had the balance of power in the Victorian Parliament, I’d be evening the score and leveraging what we deserve.
There’s a good chance Mildura will have the balance of power again. If not at the 2022 election, certainly in 2026.
We need a plan ready to go.
My plan is simple and clear.
Let’s fix the gap.
