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Welcome

This is a web site about politics – not only the issues of the day, but the broader question of how communities should function so people can best live together and collaborate with and assist one another.

The site covers various topics and items that seem to me important or useful, as well as extensive material from my time as a Victorian MP and Minister between 1988 and 2018.

I hope you find it of interest.

Issues and Ideas

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    Liberals have values and ideas to make people’s lives better

    In the wake of the Victorian election defeat, the Liberal Party needs to get back to doing what any political party should always do, namely apply our principles and values to the problems and opportunities ... Read More

    South Parade residents flooded again by Labor’s crossing bungle

    This is South Parade, Blackburn, on Tuesday - flooded yet again by water overflowing from the "upgraded" drainage system installed as part of Labor's bungling of the Blackburn level crossing removal. The LXRA and the ... Read More

    Liberals to back strong new plan for Box Hill’s future

    A Liberal Nationals government will act urgently to tackle the over-development that is threatening to turn central Box Hill into a mass of towers and wind tunnels, and work with Whitehorse council to put in ... Read More

    GPS ankle bracelets for car-jackers and home invaders

    A Liberal Nationals Victorian government will require criminals who commit home invasions or car jackings to be fitted with GPS tracking anklets when they are released from jail. GPS tracking anklets allow authorities to monitor ... Read More

    $750,000 to improve local traffic flow and cut congestion

    A Liberal Nationals government will act to improve traffic flow and safety and cut congestion on main roads in local suburbs including Balwyn, Surrey Hills, Box Hill and Blackburn. Major east-west and north-south roads have ... Read More

    Free rego for red P platers

    A Matthew Guy Liberal Victorian government will give red P-platers a $295 "rego"saving by scrapping the registration component for first-year drivers. Red P platers will pay just the TAC component that helps people injured in ... Read More

    Liberals to provide $195 million for grassroots sport

    The Liberal Nationals have committed $195 million for grassroots sport to help local sports clubs get the facilities they need, as well as upgrading school sports grounds for shared use with community sports clubs. Supporting ... Read More

    Daytime PSOs at stations across Melbourne, including Box Hill

    Protective Services Officers have been a great success in keeping our stations safe and giving people the confidence to travel at night. This Liberal Nationals move to have PSOs during the daytime at Box Hill ... Read More

    Free school books for students under Liberals

    Families with students at government secondary schools will no longer have to pay for school textbooks if a Liberal Nationals state government is elected in November. This will save up to $1,000 a year for ... Read More

    Liberals’ building fund for Catholic and independent schools

    Many Victorian families work hard to earn the money to send their children to Catholic or independent schools. However, those schools receive little state government assistance for new or upgraded buildings. In many parts of ... Read More

    More classrooms and better facilities for Box Hill High School

    A Liberal Nationals state government will provide $5.5 million for new classrooms and upgraded facilities at Box Hill High School. Box Hill High is one of Victoria’s best performing schools, but it needs more classrooms ... Read More

    European-style high speed rail for Victoria

    This Liberal Nationals commitment for European-style high speed rail in Victoria has the potential to transform our state, taking the pressure off Melbourne and opening up fast access to and from our regional centres. It ... Read More
  • Liberals have values and ideas to make people’s lives better

    In the wake of the Victorian election defeat, the Liberal Party needs to get back to doing what any political party should always do, namely apply our principles and values to the problems and opportunities ... Read More

    Liberals to provide $195 million for grassroots sport

    The Liberal Nationals have committed $195 million for grassroots sport to help local sports clubs get the facilities they need, as well as upgrading school sports grounds for shared use with community sports clubs. Supporting ... Read More

    Daytime PSOs at stations across Melbourne, including Box Hill

    Protective Services Officers have been a great success in keeping our stations safe and giving people the confidence to travel at night. This Liberal Nationals move to have PSOs during the daytime at Box Hill ... Read More

    European-style high speed rail for Victoria

    This Liberal Nationals commitment for European-style high speed rail in Victoria has the potential to transform our state, taking the pressure off Melbourne and opening up fast access to and from our regional centres. It ... Read More

    Help for children with autism and their families

    Children with autism and their families can face huge challenges in life. We are still struggling as a society to understand the seemingly ever-growing numbers of children with autism, and how best to give them ... Read More

    4,000 new Tasers for Victoria Police

    A Liberal Nationals government will provide 4,000 new Tasers for Victoria Police to use against violent offenders. Tasers incapacitate an offender with an electric charge so they can be subdued and arrested. With 4,000 additional ... Read More

    A fair go for boaties

    A Victorian Liberal Nationals government will use all of the revenue raised from boat licence and other fees to put $27.7 million a year into upgrading boat ramps, jetties, etc. This is good news for ... Read More

    Better home-based health care

    A Matthew Guy Liberal Nationals Government will provide $175 million in funding to expand community and home-based care, and support for Victorians with chronic disease who can safely be treated outside hospital. This will mean ... Read More

    The Liberals’ crime solutions

    Over the past three years, there's been a huge increase in violent crime and loss of respect for the law. We need the Liberal Nationals’ solutions to help make our homes and streets safe. From ... Read More

    Liberals to establish Retirement Housing Ombudsman

    A Liberal Nationals government will introduce a Retirement Housing Ombudsman to ensure older Victorians living in retirement housing are treated fairly and honestly and can enjoy a comfortable and secure retirement. It's an initiative I ... Read More

    Protecting our suburbs

    A Liberal Nationals government will introduce strict new planning rules within its first 100 days of office to protect the liveability and character of our residential streets and neighbourhoods. This will help protect suburbs across ... Read More
    Box Hill remembers world war one sacrifice

    Box Hill remembers World War One sacrifice

    Today’s Remembrance Day service in Box Hill Gardens saw the unveiling of a new plaque to commemorate all who served in World War One. The plaque was unveiled by Ellen Martin and James Garner-Drummond, students ... Read More
  • Liberals have values and ideas to make people’s lives better

    In the wake of the Victorian election defeat, the Liberal Party needs to get back to doing what any political party should always do, namely apply our principles and values to the problems and opportunities ... Read More
    Andrews must act on Melbourne port picket

    Andrews must act on Melbourne port picket

    Premier Daniel Andrews needs to act urgently to end the picket currently blockading the Webb Dock terminal at the Port of Melbourne. The picket, manned by members of the Maritime Union of Australia and the ... Read More
    Victoria the crime capital of Australia

    NSW crime rates fall while Victoria’s soar

    As the head of the NSW crime statistics bureau says: "...rates of robbery in NSW are now back to where they were in the late 1970s. Rates of home burglary and motor vehicle theft are ... Read More
    CFMEU

    Victoria hit by construction industry disruption

    Thanks to the Andrews Government’s abolition of the Victorian Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry, Victoria has been left wide open to union thuggery and intimidation in the construction industry. Across the ... Read More

    Unions clip Victorian taxpayers’ ticket

    Yet again, the costs of Victorian infrastructure projects are being driven up by massive pay deals under a Labor government - just like the desalination plant. As today's The Australian reports, construction workers for Melbourne's ... Read More

    CUB picket bullying caught on camera

    Premier Andrews should be condemning the thuggery and bullying on the CUB picket line, not urging the unions to keep their picket going. Backing this rogue union campaign against one of Victoria's best known companies ... Read More

    Picket line thuggery continues

    The thuggery continues at this picket line against CUB backed by the Andrews government, with a cowardly attack on an ordinary worker simply trying to do his job. The Fair Work Commission has already made ... Read More
    Dan's IR Minister backs rogue union disruption

    IR Minister backs union disruption

    This rogue union campaign against CUB is completely outside the Fair Work Act. Yet instead of condemning their actions, Victoria’s Industrial Relations Minister is urging them on. Her job should be about resolving disputes within ... Read More
    Bill Shorten stays silent on UFU

    Bill Shorten silent on UFU control over CFA

    Bill Shorten has weighed into the issue of council amalgamations in NSW, but he won’t say a word to condemn the UFU taking control over the CFA in Victoria. In contrast, Malcolm Turnbull has made ... Read More
    CFMEU threaten strikes and higher power prices

    CFMEU threaten higher power bills

    Victorian families are already struggling to make ends meet, the last thing they need is higher power bills due to outrageous union wage demands. The problem is unions have seen whenever they threaten a strike, ... Read More
    Big rail pay rises mean higher taxes and fares

    Big rail pay rises mean higher taxes and fares

    Taxpayers and commuters face higher fares and payments to rail operators after rail unions were yesterday given big pay rises to call off strikes that threatened level crossing removals. It looks as though yet again ... Read More
    Pay deal to drive up infrastructure costs

    Pay rise deal to pressure costs and jobs

    The massive pay rise for construction workers that some big builders have agreed to give will add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost of Victorian public infrastructure if it flows throughout the building ... Read More
  • Liberals have values and ideas to make people’s lives better

    In the wake of the Victorian election defeat, the Liberal Party needs to get back to doing what any political party should always do, namely apply our principles and values to the problems and opportunities ... Read More

    GPS ankle bracelets for car-jackers and home invaders

    A Liberal Nationals Victorian government will require criminals who commit home invasions or car jackings to be fitted with GPS tracking anklets when they are released from jail. GPS tracking anklets allow authorities to monitor ... Read More

    Free rego for red P platers

    A Matthew Guy Liberal Victorian government will give red P-platers a $295 "rego"saving by scrapping the registration component for first-year drivers. Red P platers will pay just the TAC component that helps people injured in ... Read More

    Liberals to provide $195 million for grassroots sport

    The Liberal Nationals have committed $195 million for grassroots sport to help local sports clubs get the facilities they need, as well as upgrading school sports grounds for shared use with community sports clubs. Supporting ... Read More

    Daytime PSOs at stations across Melbourne, including Box Hill

    Protective Services Officers have been a great success in keeping our stations safe and giving people the confidence to travel at night. This Liberal Nationals move to have PSOs during the daytime at Box Hill ... Read More

    Free school books for students under Liberals

    Families with students at government secondary schools will no longer have to pay for school textbooks if a Liberal Nationals state government is elected in November. This will save up to $1,000 a year for ... Read More

    Liberals’ building fund for Catholic and independent schools

    Many Victorian families work hard to earn the money to send their children to Catholic or independent schools. However, those schools receive little state government assistance for new or upgraded buildings. In many parts of ... Read More

    European-style high speed rail for Victoria

    This Liberal Nationals commitment for European-style high speed rail in Victoria has the potential to transform our state, taking the pressure off Melbourne and opening up fast access to and from our regional centres. It ... Read More

    Help for children with autism and their families

    Children with autism and their families can face huge challenges in life. We are still struggling as a society to understand the seemingly ever-growing numbers of children with autism, and how best to give them ... Read More

    4,000 new Tasers for Victoria Police

    A Liberal Nationals government will provide 4,000 new Tasers for Victoria Police to use against violent offenders. Tasers incapacitate an offender with an electric charge so they can be subdued and arrested. With 4,000 additional ... Read More

    A fair go for boaties

    A Victorian Liberal Nationals government will use all of the revenue raised from boat licence and other fees to put $27.7 million a year into upgrading boat ramps, jetties, etc. This is good news for ... Read More

    Better home-based health care

    A Matthew Guy Liberal Nationals Government will provide $175 million in funding to expand community and home-based care, and support for Victorians with chronic disease who can safely be treated outside hospital. This will mean ... Read More

    The Liberals’ crime solutions

    Over the past three years, there's been a huge increase in violent crime and loss of respect for the law. We need the Liberal Nationals’ solutions to help make our homes and streets safe. From ... Read More
    Labor rort, you pay

    Labor rort, you pay

    Labor have used their numbers to block every attempt to have the Legislative Assembly hold rorting Labor MPs to account. Geoff Shaw was held to account in the previous Parliament, but Labor won't apply the ... Read More

    Liberals to establish Retirement Housing Ombudsman

    A Liberal Nationals government will introduce a Retirement Housing Ombudsman to ensure older Victorians living in retirement housing are treated fairly and honestly and can enjoy a comfortable and secure retirement. It's an initiative I ... Read More

    Protecting our suburbs

    A Liberal Nationals government will introduce strict new planning rules within its first 100 days of office to protect the liveability and character of our residential streets and neighbourhoods. This will help protect suburbs across ... Read More
    Make Victoria Safe - Crime Solutions

    Strong plan needed to tackle rising crime

    The latest crime statistics show that home invasions are up by 48% since the Andrews government was elected. Violent crime is continuing to rise in Victoria, even though it is falling in NSW. Thousands of ... Read More
    Wire rope barriers

    Botched wire rope barrier roll-out puts lives at risk

    The installation of kilometres of wire rope barriers on Victorian country roads so close to the roadway has been an appalling breach of VicRoads' own design guidelines. Sooner or later, it's likely to end in ... Read More
  • South Parade residents flooded again by Labor’s crossing bungle

    This is South Parade, Blackburn, on Tuesday - flooded yet again by water overflowing from the "upgraded" drainage system installed as part of Labor's bungling of the Blackburn level crossing removal. The LXRA and the ... Read More

    Liberals to back strong new plan for Box Hill’s future

    A Liberal Nationals government will act urgently to tackle the over-development that is threatening to turn central Box Hill into a mass of towers and wind tunnels, and work with Whitehorse council to put in ... Read More

    $750,000 to improve local traffic flow and cut congestion

    A Liberal Nationals government will act to improve traffic flow and safety and cut congestion on main roads in local suburbs including Balwyn, Surrey Hills, Box Hill and Blackburn. Major east-west and north-south roads have ... Read More

    Daytime PSOs at stations across Melbourne, including Box Hill

    Protective Services Officers have been a great success in keeping our stations safe and giving people the confidence to travel at night. This Liberal Nationals move to have PSOs during the daytime at Box Hill ... Read More

    More classrooms and better facilities for Box Hill High School

    A Liberal Nationals state government will provide $5.5 million for new classrooms and upgraded facilities at Box Hill High School. Box Hill High is one of Victoria’s best performing schools, but it needs more classrooms ... Read More

    $9.5 million to rebuild Koonung Secondary College

    A Liberal-Nationals Government will provide $9.5 million for a major upgrade of Koonung Secondary College. The funding will enable an extensive rebuild of the school, with new and upgraded classrooms and facilities, including for sports, ... Read More
    We'll Build Both

    Liberals will build East West Link

    Liberal leader, Matthew Guy, has pledged that a Liberal Nationals government will build the East West Link if elected at November’s state election. A Liberal Nationals government will also build the North East Link. However, ... Read More

    Protecting our suburbs

    A Liberal Nationals government will introduce strict new planning rules within its first 100 days of office to protect the liveability and character of our residential streets and neighbourhoods. This will help protect suburbs across ... Read More
    Liberals to boost security cameras

    Liberals to boost safety in local suburbs

    A Liberal Nationals state government will invest $375,000 in more security cameras, better lighting and other measures to fight crime in local suburbs such as Box Hill, Box Hill North, Blackburn, Blackburn North and Mont ... Read More
    Box Hill needs a new master plan

    Box Hill needs a new master plan

    Central Box Hill urgently needs a new master plan if we are going to avoid it becoming a jungle of high rise towers and wind tunnels. Here's what I said about it in Parliament last ... Read More
    Eram Park

    Eram Park sewage treatment plant is on the nose

    What has gone on with the Eram Park sewage treatment plant proposal is a disgrace. Here's what I said about it in Parliament last week: I raise with the Minister for Water the issue of ... Read More

    South Parade flooding needs to be fixed

    Here's more about what happened after the Level Crossing Removal Authority “upgraded” the drainage as part of the Blackburn level crossing project - instead of flooding the station's pedestrian underpass, it's flooded residents' homes all ... Read More