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CRACKDOWN AMID FEARS OVER LOCAL FIREBUGS IN GRASS S
LIBERAL ARMY MAN TO TAKE ON MARLES IN SEAT OF CORIO
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Thong record attempt to to pump up Nipper reserves GOR repairs in cash push By CHERIE DONNELLAN TORQUAY’S Cosy Corner will become a sea of yellow on Australia Day when thousands of people attempt a new world record as a fundraiser for local Nippers, according to organisers. Torquay Surf Life Saving Club fundraising coordinator Carolyn Biram hoped Victorians would “beat out” the other states competing to break the world record for the most people on inflatable thongs in a body of water. Ms Biram said about 1380 participants attended last year’s Havaiana’s Thong Challenge but it wasn’t enough to top winner Western Australia with 2088. Ms Biram encouraged locals and holidaymakers to enter because $10 from each participant’s registration fee would go towards keeping the the life saving club’s Nippers program “open and uncapped”. “This program is important and every child should be able to enjoy the Nippers program and learn about water safety,” she said. A total of 350 children completed this year’s summer program. Ms Biram said about 120 volunteer lifesavers would patrol the event. She praised club life saving director David Nankervis for “effectively” running the event each year. Registrations are now open at www. havaianasthongchallenge.com.au.
By CHERIE DONNELLAN
RECORD ATTEMPT: Emily, Charlie, Keely, Ali and Mia look foward to the inflatable thong challenge.
Picture: GREG WANE 92307
GEELONG Otway Tourism will launch a new campaign seeking funding for the Great Ocean Road as its repair bill approaches $500 million, the organisation’s director has revealed. Roger Grant said a “conservative” request of $50 million was a “base minimum” but federal funding could bolster the road to compete with international tourist attractions. “We understand the political and economic climate but the ask of $50 million is reasonable and responsible,” he said. “The reality is we could spend 10 times that.” Mr Grant said he believed state and federal governments undervalued the road as “fundamental” part of Australia’s tourism strategy. “The Federal Government in particular needs to see it as a major tourism experience, not just a commuter route.” Mr Grant said work was required on drainage problems, structural deterioration, road verges and car parking upgrades, while sea level rises, changing weather patterns and land erosion also threatened the road’s longevity. “Rather than get to a stage where it closes for months or, worse, collapses, let’s start to address this critical issue.” Mr Grant said a G21 report had found that adequate maintenance of the road would create 212 jobs in the region.
Fagg calls funding truce “Our expectation is that all local MPs lobby on behalf of the community to maintain the health services in the region,” he said. Local MPs were agreeable about meeting on the funding issue but were unprepared to cede ground on who should provide additional funding. Corangamite’s Labor MP, Darren Cheeseman, insisted the Baillieu Govern-
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ment had cut $616 million from health funding over two years and that the federal cuts were warranted under population figures. But South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos said the Gillard Government was to blame. “They already made an agreement and then half-way through the year they reversed on absurd population figures,”
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Mr Katos said. “Our last budget shows record health budgets, almost a quarter of the total budget. I don’t know where they get that figure of $616 million.” Mr Katos said all health agencies were targeting Canberra over the cuts, not State Government. Corio Labor MP Richard Marles said he encouraged a meeting between Ms Plibersek and Mr Ashbridge last year. He insisted federal Labor was boosting health cash to Victoria by $900m over four years.
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Cr Fagg said the cash cuts threatened beds, waiting lists, job and recruiting. The community needed “a good resolution as quickly as possible’’. “It’s my great desire they can forget their political differences and get an outcome that’s fair and reasonable for all concerned.” Barwon Health chief executive officer David Ashbridge backed Cr Fagg’s call. 1060026-TB03-13
POLITICIANS need to drop the blame game and solve Geelong Hospital’s funding crisis, according to Mayor Keith Fagg. MPs on both sides of parliament must work together to reverse unexpected federal funding cuts savaging Barwon Health, he said. “It’s a great concern to me,” Cr Fagg told the Independent. “I’m calling on federal and state governments to sort it out it. It’s impacting on people’s health and access to services.”
MPs must ‘work together’ on health funding
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