VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews has hit back at criticism of his AFL grand final public holiday and accused a North East MP of not being proud of his region.
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The Labor leader was reacting to the Nationals member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, who has called on North East businesses to bill Mr Andrews for costs incurred with the new holiday.
Mr Andrews, who unveiled a $3 million regional tourism marketing campaign at Bridge Road Brewers in Beechworth, blasted Mr McCurdy for being negative.
"Mr McCurdy would be much better served to be more positive about a region I'm certainly proud of, even if he is not,” Mr Andrews said.
"This is going to be great for regional tourism and I can tell you as a kid who grew up in Wangaratta, we could never have gone to the grand final parade, never been involved in events … because my parents were working.
"So many other families are in the same position, but not this year or the year after or the year after that."
Mr Andrews suggested Mr McCurdy lacked the upbeat attitude of his predecessor Ken Jasper.
"He should be spruiking this area, he should be proud of it, instead of being continuously and endlessly negative,” Mr Andrews said.
"It was never the way Ken Jasper behaved."
Mr McCurdy rejected Mr Andrews’ pride shot.
"I'm absolutely proud of this region and I'm still living in this region, which he isn't,” Mr McCurdy said.
"I encourage him to get the real views of this region, not just the city-centric people who are driving his agenda."
Mr McCurdy said in addition to small businesses, he had spoken to school principals concerned about their budgets being affected by costs related to the holiday.
He brushed off Mr Andrews' jibe about Mr Jasper.
"I'm satisfied that the community that re-elected me in November 2014 has faith in me," Mr McCurdy said.
"Only time will tell whether we can compare him to some of the other premiers we've had over the years.
"The jury is still out on his performance as premier."
Mr Andrews said he had support for the grand final holiday from Bridge Road Brewers owner Ben Kraus.
"He thinks it will be a very busy weekend and the place will be full, so if the choice is between Mr McCurdy and his complete negativity or a local Beechworth small business person who's built a business from scratch I think I'll take my advice from Ben at Bridge Road,” he said.
