Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty this week called on the Brumby State Government to support a call by the Federal Liberal Nationals Coalition for review of the Youth Allowance criteria.

 “Students in rural and regional areas are being disadvantaged by the current criteria while the average rate of deferral to university for metropolitan students is 10 per cent compared to 33 percent for non metro students,” Mr Delahunty said.

 “A recent report by a State Parliamentary Committee titled “Inquiry into Higher Education” found that economic barriers are the main reason why fewer regional students attend University than their city counterparts.”

 Mr Delahunty said the Federal Coalition was challenging the new Parliament to make the youth allowance fairer and more equitable for all regional students.

 “The changes made by the Labor Party discriminate against rural and regional students and effectively make it more difficult for many students to achieve independent status and receive the maximum amount of government support.”

 “There is absolutely no doubt this tired and out of touch Brumby Government has supported the botched job Federal Labor has made of the youth allowance.  It is now time to review the unfair criteria to allow more of our young students to pursue a tertiary education,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has congratulated John Forrest on being returned to the Federal seat of Mallee and Dan Tehan on winning the Federal seat of Wannon.

 

“Across Australia this was a close and hard fought election as the results show but I am hopeful the Coalition will form government.  Locally it is very pleasing to see Mallee and Wannon remain in Coalition hands,” Mr Delahunty said.

 

Mr Delahunty said there were a number of issues that needed attention in western Victoria including funding for improved roads and bridges as well as improvements to telecommunications not only mobile phone coverage but also access to broadband.

 

“I will also be talking with my Federal colleagues on health issues, especially the support for the retention and attraction of doctors, nurses and allied health staff to western Victoria.”

 

“Our young people are our investment in the future and I am looking for the return to reasonable access to youth allowance for country students and at the other end of the scale there needs to be increased support for our older residents and facilities to care for them.”

 

“I look forward to working closely with John and Dan for the betterment of the people of western Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty, was today pleased to learn that the Australian Communications and Media Authority have announced the ‘Do Not Call Register’ has been expanded to include registration of fax numbers. 

The amended legislation came in to effect on 30 May 2010 and has also increased the registration period from three to five years.

“I am very pleased by the amendments to this legislation as I personally have experienced the large volume of marketing material tying up my fax machine.  Likewise I have had a number of constituents contact my office asking how they can prevent such material being sent through.”

There are currently more than 4.9 million phone numbers on the Do Not Call Register. To register log on to www.donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. Fax numbers can only be registered online.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the joint party Education and Training Committee of the Victorian Parliament inquiry into the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) administration in Victoria.

“The Committee will specifically inquire into the level and appropriateness of any fees and charges imposed by Victorian government agencies; whether construction costs of BER projects are in line with industry standards; whether outcomes were of acceptable quality and suitable to the needs of each individual school,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Committee will also look at the effectiveness of any measures put in place by the Victorian Government to ensure contracts to deliver BER projects are timely, transparent, accountable and represent best value for education outcomes in Victoria.”

The Committee is required to provide an interim report to the Parliament by 31 August 2010 and a final report by 31 December 2010.

“In Parliament last year I raised the concerns of builders in the Lowan electorate who were barred from tendering for the federally funded school building program because the education department clustered numerous projects into one contract up to the value of $5 Million or more. So I will be particularly interested in recommendations regarding the use of local builders and tradespeople during the construction of BER projects,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Local schools throughout the Lowan Electorate have been reluctant to make comment in relation to the BER.

“However I have heard anecdotally comments in relation to spending on low priority buildings and excessive costs.

“The administration of the BER in Victoria has been beset with secrecy, threats and a failure to deliver value for money projects in a timely manner,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I welcome this inquiry and expect it will flush out the truth about gross inefficiencies of the BER and reveal the Brumby Government’s inability to manage yet another project,” Mr Delahunty said.