Kickstart Victoria: Former leaders unveil bold plans to get state moving
Former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks, John Brumby and Ted Baillieu may not always have agreed politically but they are united in their aim to get the state they love roaring again. Here they unveil their bold ideas for the Herald Sun’s Kickstart Victoria campaign.
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Four former Victorian premiers have unveiled their blueprints to get the state roaring again.
And while they haven’t always agreed politically, the passionate Victorians are united in the view the state they love can emerge triumphant.
Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks, John Brumby and Ted Baillieu unveiled their bold ideas for the Herald Sun’s Kickstart Victoria campaign.
“Victorians have worked and sacrificed together, we now have the opportunity to create a better, fairer world,” Mr Bracks said.
Mr Bracks said a key priority should be building a fast rail connection between Melbourne and Sydney.
Mr Brumby, who succeeded Mr Bracks after his retirement, agreed that big-build projects were key to Victoria’s recovery.
But he said the state’s long-term economic success would be based on science, technology and innovation. “A billion- dollar Breakthrough Fund over three years would power world-leading research, not just in infectious diseases but in other conditions that await breakthroughs,” he said.
Jeff Kennett said the hospitality industry, entertainment venues, workplaces and schools should be reopened immediately.
He also said it was time to lift restrictions on the freedom of movement of Victorians around the state.
“Reopen our economy, put our faith in individuals to set the pace, and through their endeavour and enterprise, in commerce, arts and sport rebuild Victorian’s confidence, for community confidence is everything,” he said.
While Mr Baillieu agreed, he said reopening alone wasn’t enough.
“Business as usual will not be an option. Victoria will have to change. It will be a hard road back,” he said.
One company that has already adapted to the new conditions is popular Melbourne restaurant Lucy Liu. When regional patrons could no longer come into the city, the owners decided to take their food to the regions. The CBD restaurant now delivers dishes to as far afield as Queenscliff and Sorrento
“We are getting out to the people, rather than them coming to us,” executive chef and co-owner Zac Cribbes said. “We cook everything to 75 per cent and then it’s assembly at home. People are loving the idea. This may be something that we continue doing.”
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