A prize we all deserve

TONIGHT thousands of people will watch their screens anxiously to see if eight randomly drawn balls can change their lives forever.

While the prospect of winning $100 million is irresistible to ponder, we shouldn’t need to rely on winning the lottery in order to see meaningful change in our lives.

As it happens, tonight’s big lottery draw coincides with the 100-day countdown to this year’s state election on November 24.

Unlike random lotteries, the State Government and its decisions generally does have an impact on our day-to-day lives.

For those of us living in regional areas, there are crucial decisions to be made for future governments around planning, infrastructure and catering for the population influx that is expected to continue as people are priced out of capital cities.

How will our existing services cope? What public transport will we need to move all the extra people around?

Deakin University politics expert Geoff Robinson has identified transport, health and law and order as the key issues expected to dominate discussion this election period.

With around 14,000 new residents in the electorates of Bellarine and South Barwon since the 2014 election, there is every chance those issues and the future of our region will be front and centre on the minds of voters this November.

The Coalition has got out to an early start, with pledges around local roads, schools and policing already on the board this year. The Andrews Government, tied down in recent times with the rorts-forvotes scandal, is largely keeping its powder dry until campaigning starts in earnest in the coming weeks.

But with 100 days to go, all should be aware that voters will be discerning this coming election, and the government that can demonstrate sensible planning and vision for our region will be well placed come November 24.

After all, the future of our region isn’t something that should be left to chance.