My family

John’s family is a priority. The importance of a stable family environment is brought home to him after many years of happy marriage to Pam, and parenting their two wonderful daughters.

Born and raised in the Mallee at Red Cliffs, John received his education at Red Cliffs Primary School and later at Mildura Technical School. His professional qualifications include a Master of Science (Aberdeen), Bachelor of Engineering (Melbourne), a Diploma of Civil Engineering, and the publication of a number of professional papers.

Professional Background

John worked as a Consulting Engineer prior to entering Parliament. His career included a successful private practice, specialising in irrigation development, subdivision, town planning and structural design.

John’s areas of engineering interest include irrigation, water resources management, hydro-electric power generation, and environmental sustainability.

John’s Vision for Mallee

My ambition in the next term of government is to fight for the honouring of $25 million still owing on the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline; continued financial support for primary producers adversely impacted by drought and low commodity prices; fair access to aged care, digital television, mobile telephone and internet broadband; protection of water users and irrigator water rights, a fair deal for irrigators under Basin Plan sustainable diversion limits; improved transport infrastructure, health and education; and the aspirations of the Sunraysia school community to establish a trade training centre for the region.

These are headline items. Every one of the nine councils in the Federal Division of Mallee also have major projects that will require a Federal funding contribution.

The Nationals announced in June that a new Coalition government would create a $1 billion Regional Education Fund to be used to bridge the education gap and address the issues which lead to under-achievement in the regions.

This new funding is above and beyond existing money provided for regional education and is a very positive step for students and their families. I will be working hard to secure a fair share of this fund dividend for the Mallee Electorate.

Essential parts of a viable regional lifestyle include health, a quality television reception, faster broadband internet, better roads, rail and bridge infrastructure, a secure and good quality water supply and educational opportunities to enhance the skills needed in regional Victoria.

A high priority is a top quality digital television reception along the Henty Highway including Warracknabeal and Hopetoun, and includes Rainbow, Birchip, Minyip and Rupanyup.

The solution is a new fully-fledged television transmitter established just north from Warracknabeal to ensure viewers do not remain on the fringe of reception. There are also still a few reception issues to be addressed in the Mildura viewing area where analogue TV has already been switched off.

It is only fair that our farmers and small businesses can go home in the evening and catch up on world events, industry issues and the weather.

It is also only fair that they should be able to use their mobile phone in their day-to-day farming activity, and it is only fair that regional communities, farmers and small businesses have adequately fast broadband internet.
 
Regional Australia has been the poor relation during the past three years, being subjected to the slashing of regional programs.

The first Labor Budget stripped $1 billion out of regional programs. The second took out even more, and included an emissions trading tax. The third has given us a giant new mining tax and even more debt.

The Nationals want to get a fair share of the wealth created in Regional Australia spent in  Regional Australia.

The Nationals, in Coalition with the Liberal Party, have been outlining a positive agenda that has included new funding for regional education, mental health, defence force pensions, roads and bridges.

We want to create more jobs, more opportunity and prosperity, and build the infrastructure we need and deserve, provide better health and education, and enhance our quality of life.

We want a tax system that rewards hard work, not one that unfairly penalises those who create employment.

We want a world class education system, secure borders, better regional health services, a compassionate welfare system that expects personal responsibility, a strong future for our farmers and other primary industries, vibrant small business, a sustainable population and a better environment including quality telecommunications at an affordable price.