That’s why I welcome the state government’s move to close a critical loophole for any cyclist injured in an accident with a stationary vehicle.

Previously, if a cyclist hit a stationary vehicle, they would only be covered for compensation if they were riding to or from work. Now any cyclist injured in an accident with a stationary vehicle will be eligible for Transport Accident Commission (TAC) benefits.

With the increase in the popularity of cycling – which is positive for both the environment and health and fitness participation - these important changes will ensure the local cycling community is protected should they suffer injuries in such circumstances. Importantly, the changes are backdated to 9 July 2014. This means anyone injured in such an accident from that onwards will now have up to three years to lodge their TAC claim.

These reforms should go a long way to making cyclists feel they are being fully supported by the government and the wider community.

Caitlin Stove, Associate, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers South West Region

I am astounded by Mr Tudball's claim that 2500 jobs are available in South West Victoria. A similarly bold claim was made by Ms Roma Britnell, who claimed that 1000 jobs were available in June. I would like to know where they got these figures from. A quick search on Adzuna states that around 80 jobs are available in the Warrnambool region. Once you weed out the spam and duplicate advertisements, this number is likely to be halved. SEEK and The Standard classified advertise even less positions. My question to Ms Britnell and Mr Tudball is: where are the 2500 jobs hiding? 

Unemployment (not to mention youth unemployment) are significant issues in South West Victoria. As a personal example: my mother worked in finance for over 20 years, my father has been a lawyer for 30 years – neither can find new employment in South West Victoria. In the March 2018 quarter, the unemployment rate in Warrnambool was 3.69%. As of the 2016 Census, the youth unemployment rate was 11.1%. There is no accessible data for under-employment. 

Under-employment and financial insecurity are serious psychosocial issues. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian I see first-hand the physical, mental and nutritional impacts this type of stress has. Hundreds of families and individuals require weekly food hampers from Warrnambool Foodshare. Hence, I find Ms Britnell and Mr Tudball’s claims incredibly patronising. They are suggesting individuals are to blame for not applying for these mythical “2500 jobs”. Instead of spouting unsubstantiated figures Donald Trump-style, I suggest local politicians advocate for new industries to the area, new skilled and non-skilled jobs, increased social security, or better support for self-employed individuals.

Ana Marasa, Warrnambool

There is a growing and worrying trend among the political figures and protestors that explains a lot more than just neglectful thinking, that trend is using children to make a political point. This seems to be solely among the left and as such shows such a lack of concern and absolutely despicable behavior that one must ponder how much they actually care about their own children

This came to my attention after the horrendous Parkland school shooting where several of the traumatised victims were paraded in front of the world media within hours of the tragedy unfolding. We were always given the advice to never make any statements or decisions while the trauma was fresh in any stressful situation but these children were taken as spokespeople of a political standpoint and trotted out ad nauseum.

Now we have several home grown incidences of similar tactics, with Sarah Hansen Young using her daughter as political leverage against David Leyonhjelm , the despicable and disrespectful behavior that young Harper Nielsen was coached into performing for purely political grandstanding, the letter from a 10-year-old old Warrnambool local bemoaning the cacophony of gunshots she endured from the Tower Hill state game reserve on duck opening (I was actually out there exceedingly early on duck opening, not hunting but chasing photographic subjects and I did nary see a hunter at all).

And we can’t overlook the statement from another remarkably eloquent 10-year-old directed at our new sitting prime minister by the panel of excretable “hosts” on the Channel Ten disgrace The Project.

This, coupled with the fact that since the injection of gender theory under the mask of the Safe Schools program we have seen a 200 per cent increase in gender confusion and sexuality stress, means we must face up to the fact that these children are being robbed of their innocence and childhood in the pursuit of a political agenda and that it is tantamount to abuse. When this society fails to protect the sanctity of childhood we have failed, and to think that the left wing mantra of “at all costs” has destroyed one of the most precious of jewels in our possession.

Scott Norris, Warrnambool

Let’s clear up the false claims made by the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan while re-announcing money for country roads this week (The Standard, September 26).

Minister Donnellan’s claims that the previous Liberal Government’s Country Roads and Bridges program handed a blank cheque to councils with no accountability is wrong, and his insinuation councils didn’t use the money correctly is insulting.

The facts are our Country Roads and Bridges program was worth $160 million, $60 million more than Labor’s new program.

Councils were required to report where they had spent the extra $4 million allocated to them for work on the small country roads under their direct control.

When I meet with councils they always say what a huge difference the Country Roads and Bridges Program made and that they want it back because it made a difference – be it increasing grading on gravel roads, or repairing a bridge to allow a milk tanker to cross it.

When Daniel Andrews came to Government, he scrapped the program and instead established a “Country Bridges Fund” which he then used to upgrade 10 bridges on the Monash Freeway.

Labor have been in power for 15 of the past 19 years – over that time they have neglected country Victoria and had their focus on the city.

An elected Liberal Government will return the Country Roads and Bridges Fund and more because we understand regional Victoria and we recognise there is life beyond the tram tracks.

Roma Britnell MP, Member for South West Coast