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...
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 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...