Top Libs visit for State Council

FEDERAL Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, state opposition leader Michael O’Brian and members of the shadow cabinet were joined by approximately 300 rank and file members of the Liberal Party for State Council meetings last weekend.

The two-day event held at the Mercure in Golden Point also included a major policy announcement and visit to recycling plants in Wendouree.

“Regional Victoria has been the poor cousin under Danial Andrews,” Mr O’Brien said. “He’s very interested in governing for the tram tracks of Melbourne, he’s not so interested in governing for the regions.

“Coming out here, working with our local members… we’re about saying we want to be a party that looks after all of Victoria. We’re out here, we’re meeting people, we’re listing to people and we’re coming up with solutions to their concerns.”

Since becoming state opposition leader following Liberal/ National Coalition electoral defeat just over a year ago, Mr O’Brien has been to Ballarat three times.

He said that’s something we can expect more of in the lead up to the next state election in 2022.

“I’m always happy to get out as much as possible and… what I’m planning for next year is to be out of Melbourne, out of the Spring Street bubble, even more than I have been in this 11 months or so,” he said.

“We want to see more of our shadow ministers out and about because this is a very important part of Victoria. It needs to be listened to, it needs to be represented. I think the Labor Party has taken Ballarat for granted for way too long.”

Member for Ripon and shadow treasurer Louise Staley was also at the meetings. She said it was key that the Liberals brought events like the State Council to the regions.

“It’s clearly a commitment from my party that Ballarat is important to us,” she said. “I’m really enthusiastic that everyone comes to see all the great stuff happening in Ballarat. It’s important that our membership see what’s Ballarat has to offer and at the same time we listen to what Ballarat wants to tell us.”

As part of the State Council roadshow, Mr O’Brien and other members of the shadow cabinet visited two recycling plants in Wendouree with City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Ben Taylor for a major policy announcement.

Called ‘Zero to Landfill’, the policy would see energy from waste technology rolled out across the state, including in Ballarat, and a 100 per cent reduction in rubbish going to landfill by 2035.

“I want to make sure the next election is a contest of ideas and I want the Liberal Party to be leading,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I am not going to cede to anybody in the Labor Party, or anywhere else, the environment. The environment is absolutely vital. It’s vital for today’s generation and for our children and I’m going to make sure we have got the ideas and the policies to tackle those challenges and give Victorians a better state to live in.”