Steps to gender equality
During a recent time of family crisis I was pleasantly surprised by the caring and engaging nature of Warrnambool Base Hospital staff. As I am a single parent of a young lady, I have quite frequently been viewed with suspicion and disdain but the sensitivity both my daughter and I were shown was commendable. Unfortunately this treatment doesn’t carry over to other government institutions and some of my personal treatment has bordered on the abusive. I accept that some positions are in the firing line of unprovoked abuse but to pre judge and form a negative mindset from the outset based totally on gender is extremely unprofessional. We are continually bombarded with anti-violence messages and equality at all costs but it seems that the only members of the public that are immune from sympathy are the males. The figures of male suicides are chillingly real and hauntingly omni present in our community. And the continual scorn on male domestic violence victims shouts that as a society we have a huge road to travel. I am encouraged by some sections of the community but it is a step too small and too infrequently taken. Maybe our scrabbling political aspirants could make male issues a differentiating standpoint.
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Scott Norris, Warrnambool
Dreaming of upgrades
If political posters lack pulling power (The Standard, October 21) it might be because of the mixed messages from some candidates.
Liberal party candidate Roma Britnell is campaigning strongly on the need to improve our roads and train service. In doing so she is indirectly criticising the performance of her own party.
The south-west has had conservative Liberal and National local members of parliament for decades during which the condition of transport services and infrastructure has declined to its current level.
During the previous government Transport Minister Terry Mulder and Premier Denis Napthine represented the seats being decided in Saturday week’s by-election.
Despite this it is substandard transport which is a major issue in the campaign.
Roma Britnell’s advertising asks us to vote for her and, at the same time, reminds voters of reasons they shouldn’t.
Like all politicians Mrs Britnell would probably tell voters this time it will be different. However, if the transport minister and the premier can’t raise our transport infrastructure and services to an acceptable standard while in government, how can anyone believe that Roma Britnell can do so as a member of the opposition?
If you know anyone who’s going to vote for Roma Britnell because they think she will improve our roads and train service tell ‘em they’re dreamin.
Peter Martina, Warrnambool
Transport plan needed
Funding for our roads is one of the biggest issues for the upcoming by-election. Victoria does not have an integrated transport plan for the future and there are no policies or guidelines on how to prioritise transport funding. Road and rail funding is currently at the whim of politicians and political parties gearing up to make promises come election time.
Roads funding should not be decided on whether you are a safe or marginal seat.
Our roads are a significant hazard and they need to be improved. When Denis Napthine was premier the best he did was promise an extra $5 million for upgrades.
I also note the Federal government’s wish-list for Victoria still includes spending billions of dollars on the East-West link, whilst maintaining that other parties are city-centric. The Victorian Liberals need to declare if East West link is still their policy. Endlessly building new roads, when we can’t maintain the roads we have, is madness.
The Greens recognise it is important to fix roads where there are problems but it needs to go further. We want to prioritise investment in getting freight onto rail to help get trucks off the road where possible and to increase public transport.
We also want to prioritise some level of funding for local bicycle lanes as well. Well-constructed bicycle lanes increase safety for motorists and cyclists, and every cyclist is one less car on the road.
Short-term four-year politicking is not a solution to our transport difficulties. We need a long-term vision for roads, rail and transport infrastructure.
Thomas Campbell, Greens candidate for South West Coast, Warrnambool
Road funding urged
This week in State Parliament the Upper House condemned the Andrews Labor Government’s neglect of roads in country Victoria. The debate specifically mentioned the Myamyn-Macarthur Road and the Portland-Nelson Road as two of the most dangerous roads in regional Victoria.
Locals travel these roads every day and know they are dangerous and need repair. It was noted in parliament Labor has scrapped the Coalition’s successful $160 million Country Roads and Bridges program.
Under the Coalition Government, 40 of Victoria’s smallest councils were provided $1 million a year for four years to maintain their roads and bridges.
This funding has been scrapped and the Premier has the gall to fund upgrades to bridges in his own metropolitan electorate out of Labor’s ‘Stronger Country Bridges Program. The Government blatantly doesn’t care about our country roads.
The former member for South West Coast Denis Napthine committed $2.6 million for the Myaman-Macarthur Road. We now know this funding has been scrapped by Labor for use on Melbourne’s roads. Instead of fixing our roads, Daniel Andrews is erecting signs telling us to slow down.
Roma Britnell, Liberal candidate for South West Coast, Warrnambool
