Recent revelations that Parks Victoria is cutting up to 51 services from feral pest control to the young ranger’s program, and is scripting answers for staff to answer complaints, should be concerning to all country Victorians, says Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.
“Like the cuts to road funding and our hospitals being told to reduce its spending, it all boils down to the Allan Labor Government’s inability to control its out-of-control debt, and we all then pay the price,” he said.
A leaked document obtained by the Weekly Times (Parks Victoria’s confidential Operations Service Catalogue) shows it is almost halving the 111 services it carries out across 4.12 million hectares of public land, cutting rabbit and fox control, rubbish collection and even educational programs.
Mr Bull said this document clearly shows a cut to the number of ‘must do’ services down to 60, with the remaining 51 classified as ‘could do if resources permit’, ‘only do if tied funded’ or ‘stop/pause’.
“Removing dumped rubbish, including asbestos, was listed as ‘could do if resources permit’, while managing invasive feral animals – foxes, rabbits, deer, horses and bees and invasive plants – were listed as ‘only do if tied funded’.
“This is what happens when your debt is heading towards $186 billion and $26 million a day in interest alone.
“It is incredulous that this government currently has plans to introduce more National Parks when it cannot control the parks it manages, while cutting important services such as rubbish collection and feral animal control.
“We also have cases in East Gippsland where post fire and flood, we have community assets like jetties and bridges not rebuilt, the Cape Conran Cabins have not been replaced and walking tracks and trails are still closed.
“I feel for the local Parks workers who are frustrated by the bureaucracy within the Department. Job losses should be coming out of the metropolitan based bureaucracy, not front-line workers in our country towns. It is just another kick in the guts for these communities,” he said.
“The leaked document also tells staff what to say to complainants. It recommends they say ‘We are currently focused on other priority park management services, so are unable to support this request. If this situation changes, we will let the community know.’
“The guide also tells staff to amend messages by adding their local region, such as: “We manage a number of parks across the (add X region), including (add name park or site). Given the diversity and scale of the land we manage, Parks Victoria must prioritise how we manage and maintain park features and programs. We’ve adjusted our service levels to concentrate on critical park management priorities (add park/site name if applicable)”
“Not only is the spin disgraceful, it is embarrassing. It is no wonder staff have leaked it,” said Mr Bull.
“Even worse, is when the Minister Steve Dimopoulos was asked why Parks Victoria was unable to deliver half its 100-odd operational objectives and was scripting staff responses to complaints, he simply handballed it to Parks Victoria to respond.
“You are the Minister Steve, you should be able to answer these enquiries.”
Mr Bull said given the Minister has gone into hiding, he called on Parks Victoria chief executive officer, Matt Jackson, and chair, John Pandazopoulos, to visit the country areas to tell communities which jobs and services will be lost, when our assets will be rebuilt and when our tracks will be re-opened.
