IN the halls of power, amid the political jousting and grandstanding, it’s easy for the plight of regional Victoria to get lost in the shuffle.
I’d like to shine a spotlight on the regional discrimination we face at the hands of the current Allan Labor Government.
Week after week, we hear boasts from the other side about ministers making token appearances in regional areas, yet when it comes to real investment in infrastructure and services, the funds seem to mysteriously evaporate.
It’s all well and good to criticise the Federal Government for not delivering Victoria’s fair share of tax revenue, but perhaps it’s time for our State Government to lead by example.
With over a quarter of Victorians residing in regional areas, it’s baffling to see resources squandered on extravagant projects like a mythical Commonwealth Games or urban-centric transport initiatives while essential needs in the bush go unmet. Our food and fibre producers toil tirelessly to put food on the tables of city dwellers, yet our roads are neglected, our rail systems outdated, and our communities left without vital services.
Take, for example, the Murray Basin Rail project, a promising initiative left to wither on the vine due to mismanagement. As the Mildura Regional Development submission highlights, the failure to upgrade crucial rail links severely impacts supply chain resilience, directly affecting industries reliant on timely transport, such as fresh produce.
And let’s not forget the absence of a passenger train from Mildura to Melbourne, leaving residents isolated from vital connections and opportunities. It’s time for less cost and blame-shifting and more forward-thinking solutions.
The issues facing regional Victoria are stark and numerous but so are our opportunities. From crumbling roads to inadequate healthcare and housing shortages, the list goes on.
As we approach the budget, I implore the government to prioritise equity and fairness for regional Victorians. This means investing in essential infrastructure, streamlining bureaucracy to encourage growth and development, and adequately supporting vital services like the CFA and healthcare providers.
It’s time to level the playing field and give regional Victoria the attention and investment it deserves. As the late, great Digby Crozier said, “Victoria should be a State of cities not a city State.” Vale Digby Crozier.
