| Kennedy claims there’s a conspiracy of silence |
| By Bendigo Weekly
Local News Kennedy's conspiracy #531
LIBERAL candidate for the seat of Bendigo Peter Kennedy re-ignited the memories of the recent water crisis during his election launch on Sunday.
Victorian Liberal Party president and former federal Minister David Kemp officially launched Mr Kennedy’s campaign in front of more than 100 people at La Trobe University’s visual arts centre.
However, it was Mr Kennedy who stole the show, receiving a standing ovation from the party faithful after his speech.
Mr Kennedy said there has been a conspiracy of silence between the state and federal Labor politicians that resulted in the city’s water crisis last year.
“The days of local, state and federal issues are long gone. If they weren’t, why would we be interested in water, in health or in education,” he said. “We know Labor failed us in our water crisis last year.
“This election is about putting into the federal parliament someone who will take on the sitting Labor members of parliament at the local level, something our local member will not do.”
Mr Kennedy also attacked sitting member Steve Gibbons over his representation.
“This election is a choice between a new, absolutely positive style of representation or the same sort of stale representation from our local member,” he said.
“I just want to make Bendigo better. I think Bendigo can be better. I don’t think we are getting the best deal we can get.”
Mr Kennedy described the November 24 election as the most important the local region had ever faced, citing health and the economy as major issues.
“The government has promised about 50 family emergency clinics for the country,” he said.
“I am sticking my hand up to say I want at least one of those in this electorate.
“The economy of the region is also vital. Anybody can fly a plane at 10,000 feet when it is on auto pilot and you are sitting next to the pilot. I know, I have done it.
“However, someone has to take off and land the plane and I don’t think Kevin Rudd can do that.
“Kevin Rudd doesn’t have the knowledge and experience to take off and land the plane.”
With that in mind, Mr Kennedy said the Australian Technical College program was vital to halting the skills shortage.
“When Labor was in government in 1996, just over 30,000 people completed apprenticeships,” he said.
“In the past five years that number has been at 340,000.
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