Poor old Bellarine MP Lisa Neville can’t take a trick in her ministerial duties.
A couple of weeks ago Double Take noted her struggles with the police ministry – possibly the toughest gig on the state front bench at the moment, given the current level of public frustration with staffing issues and rising crime.
But Lisa’s also Water Minister, which might sound like an easy gig with all the rain this week.
Well, it was certainly no lark for Lisa as she dodged questions about her $27 million maiden purchase of water from Wonthaggi’s desalination plant as the state flooded.
As one wit noted, it’s like ordering $27 million worth of sand when you live in the Sahara.
Hopefully – for Lisa at least – the argument doesn’t turn full circle to how the money could pay for more cops!
And in another case of rain-related bad timing this week, a local tourism body spruiked the economic value of the Great Ocean Road – the day before rain damage closed it indefinitely.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism boss Wayne Kayler-Thomson (pictured) announced that tourists spent $782 million along the iconic route annually.
The authority used the figure to call for more spending on the road to attract even more tourists and create more jobs.
Well, given the damage this week, that’s one wish sure to be granted, although without the tourists and with the jobs in road works rather than hospitality.
Are Geelong producers about to earn a stake in China’s meat importation business?
Or, to put it another way, are the Chinese about to have a steak in Geelong?
Whatever, the outcome could be exciting for a handful of local businesses after a delegation from China and South East Asia visited the region this week to inspect local meat products.
The delegates were here for Food and Beverage Trade Week, which sounds like an awesome way to pass seven days.
Challenge Meats, Farm Foods and a local cattle farm were some of the businesses under the Asian microscope.
Given the population in China and its neighbours, and their growing hunger for Western-style meat, it’s a significant opportunity for the local economy.
Double Take just hopes the local operators used the traditional butcher’s welcome: ‘Pleased to meet you, with meat to please you’.
Much better than ‘Get some pork between your chopsticks’!
