DOUBLE STANDARDS
I read with interest that the Labor Party has asked Federal Health Minister Susan Ley to explain why she bought an investment property on the Gold Coast during a taxpayer-funded trip which was classified as official business. At a time where the Government is getting stuck into other vulnerable groups and the old pensioners with the new asset rules, you would at least expect the Government to lead by example, and cut back their own expenditure instead of wasting money on themselves. Many people I have spoken to have told me they are still waiting to hear when our own current crop of pollies will cut their own big pensions and perks when they retire, but it would appear only the battlers will be asked to do the heavy lifting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Geoff Rundell, Balllarat
State Government should lend a hand keeping Nationals here
This past weekend has seen another successful Road National Cycling Championships being held in Ballarat and Buninyong. The four-day event brought much needed money into the local economy, and people from all around Australia saw what a wonderful show Ballarat can put on. The contract between the City of Ballarat and Cycling Australia to hold the Championships here in Ballarat has now expired, and Cycling Australia is about to consider where to hold the event in the future.
The Andrews Government should be prioritising events like these being held in regional Victoria in order to generate tourism and economic activity. The City of Ballarat could secure this event in the long term with support from the Andrews Government.
Recently, despite the promise from the Andrews Government that two AFL games would be played at Eureka Stadium per season, it was announced that only one game would be played there in 2017.
The Andrews Government needs to get serious about supporting tourism and major events in regional Victoria, and providing funding for the continued location of the Road National Cycling Championships in Ballarat and Buninyong would be a good start.
The Road National Cycling Championships have been a clear success for Ballarat in the past, and the Andrews Government should do what is necessary in order to keep this event in Ballarat in the future.
Joshua Morris, Member for Western Victoria
A great feast of music in Ballarat
When I mention Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields fine music, I find it surprising how many Ballarat people say that they know about the festival but they have never attended a concert. What a pity! What an opportunity they have missed.
The festival includes a wide variety of music as well as organ music and the concerts are held in some of Ballarat's wonderful buildings, both historic and modern.
One of the many highlights this year is a concert by Ballarat's Genevieve Lacey at the Mary Mount Centre on Saturday, 14th January at 8pm.
There are a number of concerts given by overseas musicians. The festival runs from 13th January to 22nd January. Information about the complete program and tickets are available online by going to the website, http://www.ballarat.com/organs.html, clicking the booking link.
Many thanks to the Ballarat Courier for publicising local events, arts, music and sport. When organisations are operating with mainly volunteer support and limited budgets, this publicity is invaluable.
Joyce Currie, Wendouree