Victorian elections; support for Dick Hamer; recommendations of the Land Conservation Council
6 May 1973
On 19th May, Victoria will be going to the elections. It is the first time eighteen year olds will have voted, in this state. I have already said that I welcome this move - in fact I wish we had introduced vote for eighteen year olds before the last election. I take this view because I think more people in this age group now show a concern for many matters, which has earned them the vote. They show a concern for the under-privileged, they show a concern for the general nature and direction of Australian society. In addition, there are many who take a keen interest in international affairs and feel strongly about matters they believe to be right.
I very strongly support Dick Hamer in this election, and all the people who are standing as candidates for the Liberal Party. You will know who they are - Bruce Chamberlain standing for Dundas for the first time; Don McKellar is standing again for Portland; lan Smith, a young and vigorous Minister in the present Government in Victoria stands for Warrnambool once again; and Digby Crosier is standing for the Western Province for the second time. In or out of Parliament, these four have shown a concern and dedication in Victorian political affairs.
They are our representatives for this election. All men have campaigned vigorously and I hope the result will show with effect on the 19th of May. There are a number of reasons why I hope the vote for them will be strong. The Liberal Party has governed Victoria for a number of years and has given the State a sense of direction and a significant development and growth in resources. Dick Hamer, as Premier, has added to the achievements of Sir Henry Bolte. He's entering into new fields. He places a great importance on the total environment in which we live, and the Government is well aware that continued development of material resources is necessary if we are going to have the ability to meet the aspirations of Australians in matters of welfare, assistance to the disadvantaged, and in the conquering of pollution in all its forms.
I will be attending meetings with these candidates during next week and lending what support I can. I had hoped to be able to spend the full week campaigning, but the Federal Parliament is sitting and there is a real possibility that the Abortion Bill will be coming up for debate and voting, and I must be there for that to cast my own vote against the Bill introduced by Labor Members.
I would, like to say something about the final recommendations of the Land Conservation Council in Victoria, concerning its study of the south-western area of this State. I know there are people who can argue on both sides of this question, but I believe the report is a good one and I strongly support its recommendations for a major national park in the Lower Glenelg.
This national park will be 64,000 acres. Its purpose is to protect and conserve the national fauna and flora for the enjoyment and inspiration of visitors and for scientific study, to protect and conserve the gorge of the Glenelg River, to provide opportunities for recreation and educational experience related to enjoying and understanding nature. The park includes the gorge of the Lower Glenelg River, the Princess Margaret Rose Caves, the Bulleen, the Kentbruk Heath and Red Gum Swamp. The Council also recommends that the Glenelg River be available for boating and fishing and that proper boat ramps and access points be provided. The Council has also recommended that proper fire protection policies be developed and that all the facilities needed for its implementation be provided.
There are many other matters in this report of great interest, and I believe they should be of concern to all of those who are interested in preservation of the natural environment. As population numbers grow, this is going to become increasingly important. One of the things that needs to be understood is that if the opportunity for the establishment of national parks is once lost – if the parks are destroyed through use of a different kind, they can never be replaced, so what is being done here fits in well with the broad concept that Dick Hamer and his team have for the total development of Victoria and for the welfare of all citizens.