NATIONALS Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull says he is “honoured” to be re-appointed to the Opposition Shadow Cabinet.
Mr Bull will again have the portfolios of Veterans’ Affairs and Racing as well as Disability and Aged Care, which includes carers.
“As part of an expanded Nationals team that covers Victoria from border to border and the only party solely representing regional Victoria, I look forward to my continued advocacy for East Gippsland,” Mr Bull said.
“It’s disappointing that the Liberals and Nationals are not in government and that we are not able to deliver on the policies that we took to the election, both locally and to get a better deal for the regions more generally.
“Things like our policy initiative to create a $4 million social enterprise start up fund for disability enterprises, when the unemployment rate for people living with disability is about three times higher than the average unemployment rate in Victoria.
“Or our plan for improved supports for veterans, and a review of our public sector-owned aged care facilities with a follow-up renewals and upgrades program.”
Mr Bull said for many years, residents of retirement villages had been asking for an independent resolution process for disputes. “That’s why the Nationals and Liberals proposed to resource the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria with this responsibility,” he said.
“Daniel Andrews said he would govern for all Victorians, and one way he can demonstrate his commitment to that is to take a serious look at the common-sense policy solutions we took to the election.”
Mr Bull added he would continue to pursue the deteriorating state of the local road network, the lack of social and affordable housing, and the “non-sensical” decision to shut down the native timber industry.
