Will the Coalition’s $24 million bid in Labor stronghold be enough …

By Bridget Brady
A BROOKLAND Greens cash bail-out won’t be enough for the Liberals to claim victory in Cranbourne, a political expert says.
The Coalition last week promised to commit $24 million to Casey Council for the clean-up at the methane gas-affected Stevensons Road landfill if they were elected this weekend.
But Monash University political expert Nick Economou said it was highly unlikely the Liberals could manage the massive swing needed to claim Cranbourne.
“If Labor is losing Cranbourne it is losing the election,” he said.
Mr Economou said the promise could sway some voters, but wouldn’t be enough to win the seat. Labor currently holds Cranbourne with an 11.3 per cent margin.
“This might be an issue that affects people in the immediate area of Brookland Greens, but not the wider electorate.”
One thing is for certain, however. If the Coalition wins the election on Saturday, the $24 million would ease the financial burden of Casey ratepayers for the next 19 years.
Along with the $20.5 million already provided by the State Government, the Coalition’s contribution would almost completely cover what the council had asked from the government.
Acting mayor Shar Balmes said a promise such as the Coalition’s was welcome, and something the council had been chasing for two years.
“The Stevensons Road closed landfill issue has had a massive impact on the Casey community in many ways – just one of which is the financial impact of carrying the vast majority of remediation works,” Cr Balmes said.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said if the Coalition was elected, the money would be used to cushion rates and fund capital works projects.
One of the projects that would be back on the drawing board would be the rugby pavilion at Casey Fields, which was shelved this year in an effort to tighten the belt.
Council rates were set to be raised by a record 11.69 per cent this year, before a State Government offer lowered them to 5.96 per cent with the council cutting back on projects.
Independent candidate for Cranbourne Bob Halsall, who is running under the Make The State Pay banner, welcomed the Coalition’s offer but said it was still important residents put forward their “protest” by voting with Make The State Pay.
“It’s still not standing up and saying we take responsibility for this problem, and that’s what I’m really looking for,” Mr Halsall said.
Mr Halsall said he did not negotiate his preferences, and had preferenced Independent candidate Amanda Stapledon second and the Liberal Party third.
Cranbourne Liberal candidate Geoff Ablett said he was disappointed the community had been left to pay for a disaster that was not of their making.
“This is neither acceptable nor fair for a community already suffering significant disadvantage,” Mr Ablett said.
But a government spokesman said the promise would never be delivered.
“The Victorian Government has always understood the Stevensons Road landfill issue is about finding solutions and assisting local families. We are committed to continuing to work with local residents and the Casey Council to achieve this,” the spokesman said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said he and fellow Labor MPs Jude Perera and Judith Graley had worked hard to deliver the government’s financial assistance that helped reduce the rate rise in Casey.
“The Victorian Government and the council will also review progress, including the costs of fixing, managing and monitoring the landfill, in 12 months,” Mr Donnellan said.
Labor’s Jude Perera currently holds the seat of Cranbourne. Seven candidates will contest the seat on Saturday.