Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien calls for regional parliament week to help bushfire-hit towns
Victoria’s parliament could relocate to bushfire-affected areas to inject much-needed cash into the towns and listen to victims of the crisis.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Victoria’s parliament would sit for a week in bushfire-ravaged communities this year under a state Opposition plan to bring affected locals face-to-face with their MPs.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien is lobbying Premier Daniel Andrews to bring back regional sittings of parliament, which were last held between 2001 and 2012.
Mr O’Brien and Nationals leader Peter Walsh want Victoria’s 88 lower house MPs to travel to East Gippsland for a week of parliamentary business at some point this year.
The 40 upper house MPs would have their own sitting week in northeast Victoria, where bushfires have also raged over summer.
“With calls to visit affected areas and spend money, MPs should be leading by example,” Mr O’Brien told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“Taking parliament to bushfire communities will mean more support for local jobs and small business.”
“Politicians should get out of the Spring St bubble and into bushfire-affected regions. We need to hear from those who have been hit by these fires and show practical support for them.”
“Bringing parliament to East Gippsland and northeast Victoria will give these communities the chance to tell MPs face-to-face what they need to help them recover.”
Mr O’Brien and Mr Walsh have written to Mr Andrews, as well as the parliament's speaker Colin Brooks and president Shaun Leane, in an effort to bring about at least one regional sitting week this year.
Prior to becoming Premier, Mr Andrews had described regional parliamentary sitting programs as an important way to support regional Victoria and show locals how the parliament worked.
“I am asking Daniel Andrews to put politics aside, take parliament back on the road and join me in supporting our bushfire-affected communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
MORE NEWS:
POWERFUL VIPS PARTY AT HOCKEY’S AMERICAN SEND OFF
HONOURING THE BODIES BURIED BENEATH QUEEN VIC MARKET
ALBO OPENS UP ON MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN AND ELECTION LOSS
Mr Walsh said the devastation in bushfire-affected communities “can’t be understood from behind a desk on Spring Street”.
“Each community will have unique needs and challenges in coming months,” he said.
“Our communities have remained resilient through this bushfire catastrophe but they will need support in the long term to get back on their feet.
“The Victorian parliament has a genuine opportunity to be part of that recovery effort by holding regional sittings in these communities so all parliamentarians — even those from inner-city Melbourne — can hear local solutions direct from local people.”