Having bemoaned their inability to jail drivers who fail oral drug tests, several Warrnambool magistrates had cause for celebration. Premier Daniel Andrews finally revealed his government was moving to tighten penalties for such indiscretions.

It's about time. We have repeatedly highlighted magistrates' comments. Our social media platforms have been bombarded with complaints penalties were out of step with drink driving. It is ridiculous to think a driver who failed 11 drug tests in a 15-month period could not be jailed. But that's what happened recently. Mr Andrews should be commended for listening to calls for change from many, including South West Coast MP Roma Britnell. Ms Britnell, an avid reader of The Standard, knows how frustrated magistrates and law-abiding members of the community are on this issue.

She also knows the frustration our community harbours over the state of the region's roads. Ms Britnell attacked Mr Andrews in parliament on the subject this week. She erred when she told parliament Mr Andrews had been to China more times than he had visited regional Victoria but her point was still made.

Mr Andrews has been to China five times in the past five years, the same number of times he has been to the south-west. He has been to Warrnambool just once since being elected to the state's top job.

Mr Andrews knows where Warrnambool is. He was Health Minister when the Labor government funded Warrnambool Base Hospital's first stage redevelopment in 2009.

But a decade later, the hospital is bursting at the seams with patients. $7.5 million was given to the hospital to design and plan the upgrade in 2017 yet there are no funds for anything else. We urge Mr Andrews and his Health Minister Jenny Mikakos to visit, experience our frustrations, and address the issues. We also urge Ms Britnell and our other elected representatives to keep up the pressure. As a community, our persistence will pay off.