Brad Battin: Australia Day should be about unity, not division
This Australia Day weekend, instead of coming together, our city will be divided and disrupted. It’s time to restore pride in our state, Opposition Leader Brad Battin writes.
Opinion
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As we gather this Australia Day, the smell of sizzling snags on the barbie and the
laughter of family and friends filling my backyard, I’m reminded of what this day truly
means to me.
It’s a time of unity, of welcoming new Australians at citizenship ceremonies, reflecting
on our history and celebrating our multicultural society. Backyard cricket, a day out in
the city, a cold beer, and the gathering of neighbours – this is the spirit of Australia
Day.
As I reflect on Victoria today, a sad reality darkens the occasion. Our pride in Victoria
has faded. Melbourne is no longer the world’s most liveable city. Victoria is burdened
with record debt, essential services are failing, streets are covered in graffiti, and
Victorians are overworked and overtaxed. It shouldn’t be this hard.
A cost of living crisis grips Victoria. Electricity bills have increased 21.2 per cent, gas prices
by 103.6 per cent, and many families are struggling to afford the basics. Most alarmingly,
Victorians are no longer safe. Crime has increased, with aggravated burglaries and
youth offences at record highs, while division and hate continue to thrive.
This Australia Day weekend, instead of unity, our city will be divided and disrupted.
Thousands of protesters are planning to cause mayhem in the city, businesses have
been told they can’t be protected, and it’s all being led by an organisation funded by
the Premier Jacinta Allan’s own department.
These endless hateful protests are a direct result of Labor’s weak leadership and
inaction, which has allowed hate and division to fester in our once-harmonious city.
The poor state of Victoria is now on full display to the world, while all eyes are on
Melbourne during the Australian Open’s night of nights. It’s embarrassing.
Instead of the traditional Australia Day parade, the Allan Labor government has
turned our city over to protesters.
Australia Day should be about unity – not division. A recent poll found increased
support for celebrating Australia Day with Victoria recording the highest level of
support.
I plan to lead a new future for Victoria. I want to restore pride in our state, to clean up
our city and make it safe and affordable again. I believe local governments should
focus on their core responsibilities – roads, rates, and rubbish – and celebrate
Australia Day on 26 January.
Under my leadership, we will tackle these challenges head-on. We’ll address the
cost of living crisis, grow the economy, and empower police to move on senseless
protesters. We’ll implement smarter crime prevention strategies and teach our kids to
reach their full potential. Most importantly, we’ll work tirelessly to rebuild pride in
Victoria and celebrate it as it should be.
It shouldn’t be this hard, and under my alternative government, it won’t be.
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