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PENFOLD LOBBIES FEDERAL MINISTER Eyre Peninsula delegates gained policy wins on country doctors and fuel tax at the 49th Federal Council of the Liberal Party in Canberra last weekend (12 to 14 April). Member for Flinders Liz Penfold also used the opportunity to lobby Federal Ministers on issues affecting Eyre Peninsula with top priority going to powerlines for the wind farms, and water desalination. “I took with me detailed submissions about Eyre Peninsula’s infrastructure requirements and our development potential to hand to the Ministers which they appreciated,” she said. Among those Mrs Penfold met with were fellow South Australian Senators and Ministers, Nick Minchin and Robert Hill, Hon. Dr. Sharman Stone from Victoria and Hon Ian MacDonald from Queensland regarding the 275 kV power line to connect Eyre Peninsula wind farms on the west coast into the grid, and desalination requirements. Another very profitable discussion was held with Tasmanian Hon Peter Rae AO of Renewable Energy Generators Australia Ltd. Mr Rae invited Mrs Penfold to the REGA forum in Sydney at the end of May. “I was very pleased with my discussions. The reception I received for my requests was positive and helpful,” Mrs. Penfold said. Mrs Penfold said two resolutions that came from Eyre Peninsula delegates at the conference were passed unanimously. On country doctors, the Federal Council requested the Federal Government to consider favourably the extension of work visas for overseas trained doctors who are prepared to work in areas recognised to be in need of medical services. On fuel taxes, the Federal Council sought a reorganisation of Federal taxes so that a fixed percentage of excise raised from fuel tax is devoted exclusively for transport infrastructure so as not to disadvantage rural and regional areas. |
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