Extent of State Budget wins surprised even Ali Cupper

ALI Cupper’s wish list for Mildura in this week’s State Budget was quite extensive.

But even she didn’t anticipate that so many boxes would be ticked in the Victorian Government’s $150 million cash splash for her north-west Victoria electorate.

“It really did exceed my expectations,” the Member for Mildura said.

Her biggest win was $10 million to complete the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct.

Ms Cupper said the first person she contacted about the funding was Mildura councillor Mark Eckel, who has also been a strong advocate for the project.

“The person I wanted to tell first was Cr Mark Eckel, but I couldn’t send him a text till the embargo was lifted at 1.30pm,” she said.

“But on the dot of 1.30, he was the first person I told. I texted him, ‘Yay, we did it!’

“He texted back saying he was in a meeting with fellow councillors (during an induction) and asked if he could tell the others and I said yes.

“He then texted back to say there were screams of happiness in the room.

“We’re all just thrilled and over the moon about it. This new sporting facility will benefit so many people in Sunraysia.”

Speaking with Sunraysia Daily just before she flew back to Mildura on Friday, Ms Cupper said she would pause with a “nice glass of wine” this weekend to reflect on her budget wins.

“For me, it’s that nice feeling of satisfaction after a whole lot of hard work that I’m delivering for my community, because that’s the only reason I’m doing this,” she said.

“It’s been a tough, traumatic year for everyone, with two border closures and a raft of restrictions – despite not having any (COVID-19) cases here.

“This budget is particularly rewarding for quite an exhausted community here.”