LIBERAL Bill Tilley has hit back at a Labor advertisement accusing him of being two-faced, saying he “refutes” the claim he supported budget cuts for health, education and police services.
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The promotion headlined “Bill Tilley – Says One Thing, Does Another” appeared in The Border Mail on Wednesday without a Labor logo and is running on the masthead’s website.
It declares that the member for Benambra “when last in power….voted to cut health services, voted to cut education, voted to cut police funding”.
Mr Tilley rejected its premise, citing money that flowed into his Wodonga-based seat while the Coalition ruled Victoria from 2010-14.
“We know the investment put into Benambra was in excess of $150 million,” he said.
“There was no cuts, I refute that.
“They’re playing the man not the ball and that’s why we’re seeking to change government.”
The campaign chair for Benambra Labor candidate Simon Welsh said the advertisement was based on Mr Tilley supporting budget cuts under Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine.
“There’s that cliche that Bill hasn’t done anything for the electorate, but we’re of the view he’s done a bit to hurt it and we think it’s important to get that message across,” Mr Welsh said.
Asked why the advertisement did not mention Labor, Mr Welsh said “no specific reason that, other than space in the ad – that’s a design issue”.
Meanwhile, independent candidate for Ovens Valley Tammy Atkins wants the Coalition agreement public before Saturday.
“It is time for transparency in our politics and I call on the Liberal and National parties to make public its agreement so the public know what they are voting for prior to election day,” Ms Atkins said.
Mr Tilley said it was “a gentlemen’s signed contract between two legitimate political parties” and added “we’re also entitled to know independents are working in a party-like structure”.
The MP was commenting at Junction Place where he was joined by Liberal Senator Jane Hume.
“We’re hoping to have him returned to Benambra with no problems at all, because he’s been a terrific local member for 12 years,” Senator Hume said.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie had been scheduled to meet with Senator Hume as part of a briefing on the Junction Place development.
However that failed to materialise with Senator Hume saying “you might have to ask mayor Speedie about that”.
A council spokeswoman said Cr Speedie had a prior appointment at the original time scheduled for a meeting.
Attempts were made to find a different time on Wednesday but an option that was convenient to the mayor and senator could not be agreed upon.
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