News

| October 23, 2015

Andrews Government insists Parliament must sit on Remembrance Day

Daniel Andrews city-centric Labor Government is at it again, this time amending Remembrance Day sitting hours for Parliament to suit city Members of Parliament (MPs) while discriminating against country MPs.

Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said it was very disappointing that the Andrews Labor Government had not followed the leadership set by the previous Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government which ensured Parliament never sat on Remembrance Day.

“Not only was this a mark of respect, but it also allowed all Members of Parliament, country or city, to attend local services and lay wreaths,” Ms Kealy said.

“November 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War. In later years this day took on even greater significance as a day to pay respect to all those who have served in wars, and particularly to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Victoria’s country communities have made immense contributions to war efforts for more than a century, and suffered hardships and tragedy because of those contributions,” Ms Kealy said.

Victoria’s Parliament will convene at 2pm on Remembrance Day, meaning city MPs will be able to attend local services and return to Spring Street, while country MPs will struggle.

“This later start might be fine for Labor’s city MPs but it discriminates against any country MP who lives more than two hours drive from the Melbourne CBD – which is nearly all National Party MPs,” Ms Kealy said.

“As usual, the city-centric Premier is focused on Melbourne and has forgotten that country Victoria exists,” she said.