AS THE new leader of The Nationals in Victoria, I wish to recognise and pay tribute to the career of our parliamentary colleague and our friend, Peter Ryan.
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Peter has recently announced his resignation as Member for Gippsland South, a job he relished for more than 22 years.
This tenure included 15 years as leader of The Nationals and four years as deputy premier and minister.
During this long career, Peter's passion and enthusiasm for regional Victoria has never wavered. He was instrumental in introducing the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund under the Coalition Government, which meant regional communities were getting more support to create jobs and new industries; more money being spent to fix local roads and bridges; and greater investment that improved local facilities like local main streets, community centres and sport and recreation grounds.
Peter was also the key driver in securing $22 million which saved SPC Ardmona and protected jobs in the Goulburn Valley; he led the introduction of Victoria's moratorium on coal seam gas fracking to make sure landowners and our land and water assets are protected; he helped shut down Labor's north-south pipeline.
There is no doubt that Peter has made a significant impact on his electorate and our state.
On behalf of The Nationals, I thank Peter for his loyal service and I wish him and his family all the very best for their future.
The Nationals' promise to the people of Gippsland South, and to all of regional Victoria, is that we will continue to stand up for you and your communities and be the strong voice you need in the Victorian Parliament.
