MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper took the drastic step of protesting in front of Victorian Parliament on Thursday to draw attention to the poor state of roads in her electorate.
Ms Cupper said “failures of successive governments” and road funding criteria were the catalyst for the protest on the steps of parliament.
“We aren’t getting signs and signals that we are going to receive the funding that we need, especially after the speed limit changes on Robinvale-Sea Lake Road,” Ms Cupper told Sunraysia Daily.
Ms Cupper pressured Premier Daniel Andrews during question time on Wednesday, especially about the government’s criteria for road upgrade funding.
Mr Andrews made an assurance he would meet with Ms Cupper over her concerns, however she remains concerned the issue is largely falling on deaf ears.
“We are dealing with the failures of successive governments that has caused growing levels of desperation over 20 years on these roads,” she said.
“I need to use every opportunity I have that’s available to express what our electorate needs because that’s what politics is about.”
Ms Cupper said she didn’t expect Mr Andrews to allocate funding on the spot, but would continue to fight for the electorate’s needs.
“My biggest concern is the B-Double trucks that are sharing what I would essentially call goat tracks with these communities,” she said.
“We need to shift the system that prioritises infrastructure in big cities because I don’t think we are getting the support we deserve. We are Victorians, too.”
Ms Cupper’s protest gained significant interest in Melbourne including appearances on television news networks and 3AW presenter Neil Mitchell’s morning show.
Ms Cupper told Neil Mitchell while she “felt like a bit of a knob”, she was pleased her protest was having an effect.
Mr Mitchell asked her if it was an indictment on parliament that she felt protesting outside was more effective than being inside.
Mr Cupper responded: “We’re doing all the traditional stuff — I’m being a good girl and I’m doing things in parliament and waiting my turn and speaking when I’m asked to speak and all that sort of stuff, but it’s not enough.”
