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Sophie Mirabella (Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare, Women and Youth) Link to this | Hansard source<!– | –>

One thing we need to be mindful of when we vote on budget bills and pass legislation in this House is the impact it will have when each of us are long gone from this place, when other members will be making decisions, future generations of Australians who will be living through the impact of our decisions and, in some cases, as is the case with this budget, paying for it.

We have seen this current government, the Labor Party, spend $10 million an hour for every hour since they were elected, and of course two-thirds of Labor’s debt is a product of their own new spending commitments. They have saddled every man, woman and child with a debt of $9,000. In Victoria, my home state, where the state Labor government has contributed its own debt, that debt for every man, woman and child is $15,000. We have now seen the revised debt figures, and debt is expected to rise to as high as $315 billion. This figure, if recent history is anything to go by, is likely to increase. These are not figures that are just thrown around; these are conservative figures from the farcically self-labelled economic conservative Prime Minister. These are real figures that will have a real impact. They are unprecedented figures.

This says to young Australians, ‘Not only are you going to live through a time of increased unemployment but we are also going to burden you with this debt.’ Why? Because this government panicked. This Prime Minister panicked. He was not experienced enough. He could not find another way to spin his way out of the poor public perception of his management of the economy and so he just threw more money at it. That is what we expect to see from this Prime Minister. If there is another crisis or another problem, he will put even more debt on the credit card. Read the rest of this entry »

Wangaratta’s 2030 Vision of becoming a leader in solar energy came a step closer with Wangaratta Unlimited’s monthly board meeting on Wednesday 6 May 2009.

Renewable Energy Project

They have recommended that the RCoW scope out a consultant’s brief for a broader feasibility study into renewable energy opportunities and seek out relevant funding to support their study.  The consultant is from a Melbourne based solar energy consultancy group with a concept for a “Solar Farm” to be established at North Wangaratta.   The council is expected to “note” the report which does’nt really advance it beyond an idea at this time.

However, if you pay rates to the Rural City of Wangaratta, you are invited to apply before 30th June for the Federal Government subsidy.  It seems that the RCoW is serious about meeting its 2030 vision as the centre of soar energy in Victoria.

The Chronicle reported,

Get $8,000 subsidy on Solar Energy before 30 June

RESIDENTS are now able to have solar power installed in their houses at a discount rate, after the Rural City of Wangaratta signed up to a Federal Government scheme.

Launched this week across nine rural Victoria municipalities, the program will enable residents to install a 1kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the substantially reduced cost of approximately $2000.

The Pure Local Energy Project, which is facilitated by the Northeast Greenhouse Alliance (NEGHA) on behalf of participating local governments, complements the Federal Government’s Solar Homes and Communities Plan Rebate which provides financial support of up to $8000 ($8 per watt) for installing a 1 kW PV system.

“By participating in the Northeast Greenhouse Alliance and supporting this project the Wangaratta Rural City Council is assisting to deliver our community’s 2030 Vision for a healthy environment,” rural city mayor, Ron Webb said.

“We encourage residents to consider this excellent opportunity to generate clean, green, solar power while these generous rebates are available.“

The offer is only available for the next five weeks as the Australian Government’s solar panel rebate of $8000 expires on June 30, 2009.

To gain maximum benefit from the project, residents should be home owner-occupiers, have at least eight square metres (eg 2 x 4m) of un-shaded, north-facing roof, and have a household taxable income of less than $100,000.

Interested residents can attend information sessions being held by the Rural City of Wangaratta with Solar Shop Australia. They are on Friday, May 29 12pm – 1pm, and 6pm to 7pm, at the Committee Room, Wangaratta Government Centre.

Mayor Ron Webb and his wife

I believe our newly elected mayor, Ron Webb, will bring a new direction to the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Voted in by Crs Rosi Parisotto,  Anthony Griffiths and Lauren O’Neil, the long term block known as “the Appin Park group” or “the boys club” may well have been broken.

Mayor Ron Webb has flagged his priorities as the aging population, the global financial crisis and water /sewage issues in ruralareas which are all ‘now’ issues as opposed to the past administration’s priority of promoting Wangaratta as the centre of the universe.

Mayor Webb believes he can “give that leadership in relationship to team unity, open communication and allow each of the new candidates to develop fully to their potential and contribute to the city of Wangaratta.”

The new look council offers a good mix of experience, gender balance and age groups to provide Wangaratta with the management required in these uncertain times.

Wangaratta Chronicle report:  Ron Webb – Wangaratta’s new mayor

Border Mail report:  Webb’s joy at winning mayor poll