Guy commits to growth needs
Opposition leader Matthew Guy visited Warragul on Friday promising to deliver a new hospital among a raft of other desperately needed infrastructure for a growing community.
Whilst a safe Liberal seat with sitting member Gary Blackwood holding Narracan with an almost 11 per cent margin, the Liberal leader knows it is still a must win seat.
The ALP is yet to announce a contender for the seat but the Liberals hope candidate Wayne Farnham will hold the seat following the retirement of Mr Blackwood.
“I can’t form government without winning Narracan and Labor won’t build that hospital so I must get Wayne elected here,” Mr Guy said.
But he did not stop at the hospital – roads, schools, transport – they are all on the list of major infrastructure items needing to be addressed for Warragul and Drouin.
In an interview with The Gazette, he said the Andrews’ government’s neglect of Gippsland was evident in the people he spoke with in Warragul on Friday morning.
Mayor Michael Leaney was among the community members to have Mr Guy’s ear – taking advantage of an opportunity to spruik Baw Baw Shire’s advocacy priorities.
“People know when they advocate, we will fight for them.
“In 2010 we promised we would build a railway station carpark and underpass and we delivered that. A Liberal government looks after this area.
“The government is fundamentally ignoring country and regional areas. They are spending $130 billion on an underground rail loop that no-one asked for…yet country Victorians can’t get a new hospital and can’t get their roads fixed.
“The Andrews’ government has treated Gippsland with disrespect – he doesn’t care about jobs whether it’s timber of the power industry,” he said.
Asked if he was concerned the federal Liberal backlash would filter through to the state election, Mr Guy said “there is anger at the arrogance of this premier (Daniel Andrews).”
The opposition leader also was not too phased by the momentum of independent candidates in the election and the rise of the “teal threat.”
“People are not interested in the political aspirations of a bunch of independents. You won’t get a new hospital with independent candidates,” he said.
Mr Guy said Baw Baw Shire was changing fast with significant growth and a Liberal government would help with that growth.
“Road planning needs to be funded, we need new commercial and jobs precincts.
“Council has priorities on growing sustainably and we want to help them on that,” he said.