The leader of the state National Party, Mr Walsh said he was optimistic about how the Nats would fare when votes were cast on Saturday, November 26, following the 2018 election that saw the party claim just seven seats.
“I believe we will go well, we have a strong message to send on behalf of regional Victoria,” he said.
“The Coalition has put a lot of effort into finding out what the community thinks is important for this state election, and we have been talking about that now for a couple of years.”
The Member for Murray Plains said the Coalition would tackle key issues such as healthcare, infrastructure and cost of living.
The Nats have pledged $288 million to re-establish the successful Country Roads and Bridges Program, under which up to $1.5 million will be available to Victoria’s 48 rural shires and regional councils.
The Coalition has pledged to scrap stamp duty for first-home buyers for all property purchases up to $1 million, as well as cap prices on public transport to a $2 flat fare and halve the price of V/Line fares.
And Mr Walsh said the Coalition would divert money to help the Victorian healthcare system.
“I think our decision to re-prioritise the money out of the Box Hill to Cheltenham line to fix the health system has captured people’s imaginations, as has our announcement around public transport.
“$2 local bus fares and half-price V/Line fares have again really captured people’s imaginations.
“The announcements we made about stamp duty for first-home buyers will help the issues around cost of living.”
Mr Walsh said all of these key issues were relevant not just across the state, but would also have a big impact in his home electorate too — including a $60 million pledge to deliver stage two of the redevelopment at Swan Hill hospital.
“From a statewide point of view, all the things we are talking about are relevant to my personal electorate of Murray Plains as well,” he said.
“The $2 local bus fare applies to buses in Echuca, and the half-price V/Line applies to all the people who travel further on the V/Line system.
“People want their health system to work. Echuca has a new hospital, but for Swan Hill, the issue is getting a new hospital. Stage one has happened, and we have given a commitment to stage two so there is a continuous build.
“The road package will help fix the roads. It will take a long time, but it will speed up the repairs.
“I think with what we have agreed with [Liberal Party leader] Matthew Guy around the 25 per cent of the state capital infrastructure spend going into regional Victoria is a great message for the regions.
“And people can’t find a house to buy or to rent, there is just not enough housing around which is why we have made a series of announcements around housing supply.”
Mr Walsh was first elected to parliament in 2002. He represented the electorate of Swan Hill and later Murray Plains after the two were combined, and has been the state leader of the National Party since 2014.
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