Message from Kim

JANUARY 2010

John Brumby and Labor have had 10 years of record taxes and revenue totaling more than $300 billion to build desperately needed infrastructure and provide basic services.

Our services have deteriorated, infrastructure continues to fall apart and our regions have been seriously neglected.

On all counts, the Brumby State Labor Government has failed Victorians.

The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition is committed to:

- Cutting the cost of doing business in Victoria;
-Supporting Victorian businesses to ensure future investment and job creation;
- Managing Victoria's economy efficiently by effectively using taxpayer funds and eliminating waste;
- Investing in, and growing Victoria's infrastructure in order to provide for greater efficiencies and productivity for manufacturers and businesses;
-Strongly supporting the principle of freedom of association in all workplaces;
- No longer tolerating violence on our streets, and providing the necessary frontline police resources to make our communities safer;
- Introducing tougher sentencing for violent crimes and crimes against children;
- Ensuring that corruption in Victoria is uncovered and offenders severely punished;
- Implementing a code of conduct for government ministers which includes honesty and accepting responsibility;
- Leading the nation in literacy and numeracy amongst Victorian students;
- Supporting and fostering volunteerism in our communities and promote the benefits to young Victorians;
- Ensuring Victoria has a world class health service with fair access for all; and
- Ensuring sensible and responsible management of the Victorian environment.

Kim Wells Signature
Kim Wells MP
Member For Scoresby

News Feature - House Of Cards Budget - Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells State Budget Reply Speech

On Tuesday, 5 May, the Treasurer presented the State Government's Budget for the 2009-10 financial year.
Given the difficult economic circumstances Victoria is currently facing, this year's Budget is fundamentally critical for the future of our State.

However, this and future generations will be burdened by the failures, financial mismanagement and massive debt legacy unleashed by the Brumby Labor Government in this Budget.

Victorian Economy Competes For Last Place

Today's release of CommSec's analysis of the economies of all States and Territories shows Victoria is competing hard for last place despite a relative improvement in the national economy in recent months, Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells said today.

"CommSec has put the Victorian economy in sixth place among the eight State and Territory economies. This demonstrates that the Victorian economy is not the economic powerhouse that is being painted by John Brumby," Mr Wells said.

Arrogant Treasurer Refuses To Tell Victorians The Truth On Staff Numbers

Treasurer John Lenders has demonstrated his arrogance by refusing to tell Victorians how many staff he employs, Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells said today.

"When asked the simple question 'How many ministerial staff did the Treasurer have in relation to all his ministerial capacities as at 31 December 2008', the Treasurer refused to answer and instead referred the question to the Department of Premier and Cabinet," Mr Wells said.

"When the Treasurer could just walk out into his office and do a headcount of his numerous staff, there is something very wrong if he refuses to answer such a simple question.

Brumby Govt Blocks Release Of Vfmc Fatcat Entertainment Expenses

Another example of the Brumby Government's interference in the operations of the Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) has come to light after revelations the government intervened to stop Victorians finding out how much money VFMC fatcats splashed out on entertainment.

VFMC Chairman John Fraser was recently gagged by the Brumby Government and stopped from releasing details of entertainment expenses by VFMC executive fatcats to the Opposition, Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells said today.

Brumby Government Must Release Vfmc Fat Cats Pay Fiasco Report

The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition is demanding that the Brumby Government immediately release the full review report of Dr Michael Vertigan into the Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) excessive executive salaries and bonuses fiasco, Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells said today.

"A media release distributed without full details of the review findings, or a copy of the report, simply smacks of a cover-up to protect the Premier and Treasurer John Lenders, and it shows they have something to hide," Mr Wells said.
"For the Brumby Government to state that the report would not be released due to 'privacy reasons' is a complete and utter cop out.

Brumby Fails Victoria’s Economy Again

State Accounts data for 2008-09 released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reinforce concerns about the health of the Victorian economy and Labor's lack of economic leadership.

Victoria's Gross State Product (GSP) growth rate of 0.8 per cent was below the national average growth rate of 1.1 per cent, and Victoria's GSP per capita fell by 1.1 per cent in 2008-09 compared to a national decline of 0.8 per cent.

"This means that while John Brumby and his Treasurer were patting themselves on the back last financial year, the Victorian economy was in recession on a population-adjusted basis," Shadow Treasurer Kim Wells said today.