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New Victorian State Government

By on January 26, 2011

BRUCE McCLURE, CMPA’s General Manager reports on the change in State Government in Victoria.

ON the 27th November 2010 Victorians went to the polling booths to elect the 46th State Government of Victoria.

Although results were not conclusively known for several days, it became clear by the end of the 27th November that most Victorians wanted a change in the leadership of this state and consequently a change in direction for Victoria’s future. The Victorian Liberal-National coalition government was officially sworn in by State Governor David De Kretser at Government House on the 2 December 2011 to form the 46th Government of Victoria.

The CMPA was involved in frank and detailed discussions with a number of Coalition Shadow Ministers whose portfolios covered the interests of CMPA Members well before the State Election in November 2010.

The CMPA presented considerable information on a number of issues that are currently affecting the viability of many of our Members and discussed many concerns that the CMPA membership has for the future of the extractive industry in this state.

The issues that the CMPA intends to reiterate with the newly sworn
in Ministers include:

  • The looming shortage of stone and sand in the Melbourne Urban Growth area as highlighted in the CMPA’s report An Unsustainable Future.
  • Lack of planning in identifying and protecting strategic stone, sand and gravel resources around the State.
  • Time taken to obtain Work Authorities.
  • The high rehabilitation bond rates being applied to Work Authority sites at present and their impact on the viability of many Quarries.
  • Native vegetation issues especially offset requirements and lack of recognition of rehabilitation works involving re-vegetation.
  • Cultural Heritage Management Plan requirements particularly the complete lack of predictability, the cost and the apparent need to obtain approvals before Work Plans are even approved.
  • Land banking especially in the Melbourne Growth Area.
Richard Dalla-Riva

The CMPA has already met the Hon Richard Dalla-Riva, Minster for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade.

The topics discussed during the meeting with the Minister included employment (especially the current standard of training and the updating of training manuals) and manufacturing (especially the importation of dimensional stone into Victoria).

Ted Baillieu

Key members of the State Cabinet that the CMPA intends to seek meetings with include:

  • The Premier Hon Ted Baillieu MP
  • Hon Peter Ryan MP Minister for Regional & Rural Development
  • Hon Michael O’ Brien MP Minister for Energy & Resources
  • Hon Denis Napthine MP Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Ports, Minister for Regional Cities
  • Hon Ryan Smith MP Minister for Environment & Climate Change
  • Hon Peter Hall MLC Minister for Higher Education and Skills
  • Hon Matthew Guy MLC Minister for Planning
  • Hon Terry Mulder MP Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Roads.

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