Close climate change gap
WILL Matthew Guy close the gap between policy and supporters on climate change?
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New polling commissioned by The Australia Institute exposes a gulf between the Matthew Guy opposition's climate change policies and the views of its base.
Despite a massive 74 percent of Coalition voters backing state renewable energy schemes such as the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, the opposition has vowed to scrap the target if elected in 2018.
It's no surprise Coalition voters are so enthusiastic about the VRET. The scheme will see more wind farms like those in Ararat and Challicum HIlls built. It will create 11,000 jobs and attract billions worth of investment to the state--largely in regions represented by Liberal and National party MPs.
If Matthew Guy respects the views of Coalition voters he will review opposition climate change and energy policies to bring them into alignment with party voters well before the election year.
- Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth
Rally to #SaveTheWriteOff
VICTORIA’S peak farm lobby is calling on the Federal Government to double-down on investment in agricultural businesses by extending an initiative for small businesses to instantly write-off assets worth up to $20,000.
In a new campaign to #SaveTheWriteOff, the Victorian Farmers Federation, along with the National Farmers Federation and other industry groups, is encouraging farmers to write to the federal Treasurer Scott Morrison with stories of how the incentive programs helped their businesses.
The program has allowed farmers to invest in machinery and other equipment which has radically transformed their businesses, and the agriculture sector has been given a big boost as a result.
But it’s vital to extend the programs in perpetuity if we’re going to continue to see growth in rural industries, and that’s the commitment we’re seeking from the Federal Government in next month’s budget.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) last month predicted agricultural production would soar to $63.8 billion in 2017-18. This forecast provides surety for the government to maintain the program instead of return to the previous $1000 asset write-off.
Extending the program will give farm businesses a chance to seize new export opportunities through the Federal Government’s free trade agreements with Korea, Indonesia and India.
Farmers can connect with Mr Morrison by logging onto www.farmers.org.au/savethewriteoff and leaving their story.
- David Jochinke, VFF president
Plan to tackle crime
AN ELECTED Liberal Nationals government would take a tough approach to Victoria’s sentencing laws.
Victorians should feel safe in their homes, but after two years of Labor the state’s crime rate has skyrocketed by 20 per cent. It is clear a different approach is needed.
Even the Police Minister has admitted that Victorians don’t feel safe in their own homes under the Andrews Labor Government. An elected Liberal Nationals government would take a tough approach and introduce mandatory minimum jail sentences for the most dangerous offenders in our community.
Violent repeat offenders shouldn’t be getting second, third and fourth chances to commit violent crimes – no more excuses, no more second chances, it’s two strikes and you’re in.
The minimum sentences would apply to 11 violent offences, including rape, aggravated burglary, manslaughter by single punch or strike, and murder. This announcement is part of a broader suite of policies that will be needed to make Victoria safe. It joins earlier announcements by the Liberal Nationals on bail, sentencing, police resourcing and youth justice.
- Emma Kealy, Lowan MP