by admin | Oct 23, 2014 | Media Release
THE frightening trend of international consortiums purchasing large slabs of south-west farmland is threatening the future of Australia’s agriculture sector, says Vote 1 Local Jobs founder James Purcell. More and more international companies and governments are looking to our prime agriculture region to grow and develop products destined for international markets. The most recent is Linear Capital, with its Chinese partners planning to purchase dozens of south-west dairy farms. “We’ve all heard the saying that Australia was built on the sheep’s back. Our agriculture sector is one of our strongest economic bases and in the south-west the absolute foundation of our success,” Mr Purcell said. “If we continue to allow the foreign buy up of our prime agricultural land, what does that mean for our future? “It will mean the end of the family farm, the end of the next generation’s farming aspirations and the end of Australia’s independence. “We need a strong structure in place to support the agriculture sector and we need it in place now.” Vote 1 Local jobs is proposing a First Farm Owners Grant to encourage young farmers to take to the land and continue Australia’s agriculture sector. “We should be charging 50 per cent stamp duty on all foreign purchases of Victorian land, be it farming or residential. That stamp duty should then be used to fund a First Farm Owners Grant and continue the First Home Owners Grant, to support the next generation. “If we’re not careful we will be working for foreign governments, not for Australia. South-west Victoria has the most valuable agricultural land in Australia and it is vital we keep it in Australian hands. “Historically overseas companies pay...
by admin | Oct 10, 2014 | Petition
Every child deserves to get to and from school safely. Please support our push for 40 kilometre flashing speed signs at ALL school crossings located on VicRoads roads and make this change happen by voting for Vote 1 Local Jobs in the Upper House at the state election on November 29. * indicates required field Yes, I support 40 kilometre flashing speed signs on all main roads where school crossings are located.* First Name:* Last Name:* Email:* Phone:* Address: Postcode: CAPTCHA Code:* Leave this field...
by admin | Oct 3, 2014 | Media Release
3 October 2014 MEDIA RELEASE Vote 1 Local Jobs founder James Purcell has hit back at claims of coal seam gas confusion, saying there is absolutely no misunderstanding in local opposition to the controversial issue of unconventional gas extraction. Mr Purcell said while it was true we have a more abundant supply of tight and shale gas than coal seam gas, the methods to extract these forms of gas were just as frightening. “Generally speaking the tight and shale gas supplies lie up to four kilometres below ground and because of this deeper depth there is the possibility of fracking occurring every 500 metres along a horizontal tunnel to try and extract the gas,” Mr Purcell said. “How can we construe a potentially increased amount of fracking as a positive thing? “The evidence we see from the US is largely based on shale and tight gas and these have the same potential effects as coal seam gas.” Mr Purcell said there were many other factors relating to the industry that were extremely risky to the environment and our way of life. “The water table in Gippsland has been reported as dropping by one metre per year for the past 30 years. Farmers in that area have had bores dry up and had to drill new, deeper bores to compensate. “These unconventional methods of gas extraction involve the removal of massive amounts of underground water, which is known to drop water levels. “Why would we pose further risk to our underground water table? Can our farmers and our towns continue to rely on water tables if the water levels drop...