Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (12:56): The good people of Polwarth are out and about with local council elections this month, and I very much urge all the local council voters in Surf Coast shire, Colac Otway shire and Corangamite Otway shire to really think about the candidates that they are voting for. The people of Corangamite only have one ward up, but both Colac Otway and Corangamite have Melbourne Cup fields of candidates. I remind constituents that this Labor government has been diabolical at putting costs back onto local councils, and they need to think very carefully about the councillors they vote for. I urge them to put first councillors that are going to prioritise roads, basic services and affordable rates for the people of both the Surf Coast and Colac Otway shires and to really fight back against any candidate prepared to put up with the cost shifting that this Labor government continues to put on local ratepayers, with things such as unfunded kinder promises and unfunded immunisation programs, and of course we all know the crippling lack of funding and support that this government gives to local councils for roads. Roads, roads, roads and basic services are the key issues. To all voters across Colac Otway, Surf Coast and Corangamite, I urge you to talk to the councillors. Find out if the councillor you are voting for is going to put those basic services and cost shifts as key priorities in the way they vote into the future.