Labor must come clean on the massive greenhouse gas impact of the construction of Australia’s biggest desalination plant near Wonthaggi, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change David Davis said today.

“Today’s refusal by the Environment Minister to rule out a giant blowout in greenhouse gas emissions from the new desalination plant should greatly alarm Victorians,” Mr Davis said. Read the rest of this entry »

A motion passed today in the Legislative Council has provided critical references in five different areas to the joint parliamentary committees that underpin the work of State Parliament.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council David Davis said the references would allow Victorians to speak their mind on key issues of concern, including violent crime, taxation, public housing waiting lists, environmental approvals and Labor’s new growth areas tax. Read the rest of this entry »

John Brumby has continued Labor’s secretive approach to his sweetheart deal with Crown Casino by refusing to comply with an Upper House motion requiring the government to disclose a range of documents on the deal by 4pm today.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition in the Upper House David Davis said Labor refused to tell Victorians what they would get out of the deal and continued to cover up the nature and extent of John Brumby’s dealings with Crown boss James Packer. Read the rest of this entry »

The real story behind yesterday’s announcement of grants under the federal Caring for our Country program is that Victoria’s environment has been dudded again by Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change David Davis said.

“Compare the $109 million for New South Wales projects and the $95.6 million for Queensland projects to the measly $47.3 million allocated for projects to support and improve Victoria’s degraded and threatened environment and a clear picture of Peter Garrett’s policy bias emerges,” Mr Davis said.

Victorian Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) suffered a massive 40 per cent cut to their historical average funding from the Federal Government at 1 July 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

Revelations the Water Minister and Treasurer spent more than $93,000 of taxpayer’s money on United States junkets is a slap in the face for Victorians who, from today, will face hikes in waterbills and other government fees, fines and charges.

Water Minister Tim Holding and a staffer spent two weeks in the United States from 12 to 26 January, charging the taxpayer $23,639.70 for airfares, $11,883.93 for accommodation, and $16,369.13 for expenses.

Treasurer John Lenders and a staffer spent two weeks in the United States from 16-29 January, charging the taxpayer $24,416.90 for airfares, $9,754.12 for accommodation and $7,037.50 for expenses.

In June last year Premier John Brumby also jetted off to the United States, costing the taxpayer $78,905.50. Read the rest of this entry »