by admin | Nov 6, 2014 | Letter to the Editor
LETTER TO THE EDITOR TIME TO INVEST IN ROADS AND RAIL I write in response to Thursday’s front page article regarding the deplorable state of our roads and last week’s front page article On track (…everywhere except south-west Victoria) which details how both major parties have promised millions for train upgrades in country Victoria – but not in the south-west. Western Victorians deserve safe roads, just as everyone does. It’s time we stop missing out. In the current economic climate, with rising unemployment and industry decline, it is vital we receive funding and upgrades to roads and rail to give south-west Victoria part of the supporting infrastructure necessary to succeed. If we’re offering antiquated rail services and pothole-ridden roads we are WAY behind the eight ball. Vote 1 Local Jobs proposes investing the $50 million currently spent annually on the Grand Prix into Western Victorian roads and rail. It is VITAL we get our roads and rail up to scratch, or investment, industry and jobs will go elsewhere. JAMES PURCELL 35 BANK STREET, PORT FAIRY 3284 Download as PDF – 141030 LTE Time to invest in roads and...
by admin | Nov 5, 2014 | Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE – VOTE 1 LOCAL JOBS OFFICIALLY REGISTERED A NEW political party created specifically to generate jobs and economic employment in Western Victoria – Vote 1 Local Jobs – has been inundated with support and is now officially registered. The historic achievement means Vote 1 Local Jobs is the first political party created specifically for Victoria’s Western District. The party has been created by Moyne Shire Mayor Cr James Purcell, who stood as an independent at the last state and federal election and is the most successful independent in our region’s history. Mr Purcell said Vote 1 Local Jobs has more than 850 members. “We’ve had an incredibly positive response. People are excited to have a party created to work specifically for the people and benefit of Western Victoria,” Mr Purcell said. Vote 1 Local Jobs is standing on a platform of job creation and has an eight-point plan designed to create jobs and drive economic growth in the region. It is aiming to win the Upper House’s coveted fifth seat and offers itself as a ‘security vote’ to the people of the Western District. “We need to make sure we have local representation for our region. If Denis Napthine’s Liberals lose power things will be very different in Western Victoria. “If Vote 1 Local Jobs is elected in the Upper House Western Victorians can be assured of localized representation, irrespective of which government takes power. “The Upper House is responsible for approving all legislation which goes before parliament and Vote 1 Local Jobs will obviously have the best interests of Victoria’s Western District in mind at all times.”...
by admin | Nov 2, 2014 | Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE STOP FUNDING THE GRAND PRIX AND PUT $50 MILLION INTO SOUTH-WEST ROADS AND RAIL The government should stop spending $50 million per year on the Grand Prix and instead inject the funds into south-west roads and rail, says Vote 1 Local Jobs founder James Purcell. Speaking following the announcement that, if elected, Liberal and Labor will spend millions on new train carriages in country Victoria – but none in south-west Victoria – Mr Purcell says it is time we stop missing out. “It’s getting beyond a joke how much funding goes to other electorates and is missed here,” Mr Purcell said. “We have the one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the state, industry is suffering and we’ve just heard of 100 job losses at Keppel Prince. “It’s time south-west Victoria received the infrastructure upgrades and industry support we desperately need. How are we meant to attract industry and in turn employment to our region when we have pothole ridden roads and antiquated trains and carriages that are 30 years old?” As part of Vote 1 Local Jobs eight-point plan, the new party is proposing the $50 million spent annually on the Grand Prix is instead put into south-west Victorian roads and rail. “Does anyone in Warrnambool, Portland, Colac or Hamilton see any benefit from the Grand Prix? What about in Koroit or Port Fairy – are businesses flourishing because of the Grand Prix? “No, they’re certainly not. Do we think businesses and communities in those towns are benefitting from the current state of our roads and rail network? Of course they’re not. “In the current...