The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has taken the Allan Labor Government to task for shirking questions about a sobering-up facility slated for the Latrobe Valley.
More than two years since Labor promised it would provide a new service in Morwell to respond to public intoxication, the facility still hasn’t been established, and the Minister for Health has gone to ground.
“More than a year ago I asked the Minister about the sobering-up centre and outreach services promised for Morwell and I still haven’t received an answer,” Mr Cameron said.
Under standing orders, Ministers are required to respond to questions within 30 days.
“I have followed up 9 times in Parliament, and the Speaker has reminded the Minister of her duty to respond several times, but we are still none the wiser,” Mr Cameron said.
“This sort of arrogance and refusal to respond to genuine questions asked on behalf of Victorians is typical of Labor.”
The rollout of sobering-up centres was announced in the wake of Labor’s move to decriminalise public drunkenness in Victoria, which removed the ability for police to arrest, detain and transport intoxicated people at risk to themselves or others.
“When Labor moved to decriminalise public drunkenness, the Nationals and Liberals warned the public health responses would be inadequate,” Mr Cameron said.
“Public drunkenness is a community safety issue in the Latrobe Valley, but police have been stripped of their powers and the health-led response we were promised hasn’t been delivered.
“Once again, the Latrobe Valley has been short-changed and turfed aside by this citycentric Allan Labor Government.”
