Opinion & Perspectives
9 May, 2026
YOUR ONLINE WORDS: Emergency services funding and Rotary legends
Here's some of your thoughts on our Facebook page.
Rain hits St Arnaud
MELODY Agnew said: “Just been washed silly.”
Russell Cumming said: “Love the place when we visited a couple of years ago, my mother has a few relatives buried there.”
Andrea Pym said: “But doesn’t the town look really clean.”
Alan Lee said: “Until you drive in and see bollards and temp fencing that’s been there for over two years.”
Alistair Boltuc said: “Do a story on that abomination of a pedestrian’s detour.”
Djowen Wymyss said: “Macca needs to open the StA hotel (wink emoji).”
Paul Stopps Agp said: “That (poo emoji) in front of the old St.Arnaud pub needs to go. Fix the issues with the bloody joint. It’s a bloody eyesore and a pain for pedestrians
Egg-stra special event in Paradise
DAVID Reynolds said: “Eggs-actly the sort of people we need in our community. Great stuff.”
Armstrong promises fair fight
WJ Elsworth said: “Nationals have dumped the regional families fighting the transmission renewables and mining rollout. Bloody pathetic.”
Rotary Club BBQ fundraiser
ANDREA Rankin said: “Rotary Clubs are amazing groups.”
Stuart Robertson said: “Well done guys enjoy”
“Cam Robinson said: “Good to see Pete’s busy. (winking emoji).”
NCFL Round 2 results
SUE Austerberry said: “Well done Saints great job (clap emoji).”
Bill Evans said: “Thank you for giving us the football scores you’ve done a great job.”
Kylie Richardson said: “Go the Saints!!!”
Geoff Stopps said: “Went home early thought Donand had it in the bag well done Saints”
Funding announcement for emergency services
LEIGH Harry said: “A 10 year plan - will hardly change things . We will still have 30+ yr old tankers.”
Peter Wingfield said: “Vote grabbing.”
Phillip Carter said: “Victoria’s state debt interest payments are currently around $24 million to $28 million per day. This daily interest cost is projected to rise to roughly $28.8 million to $29 million per daywithin the next three years, often described as “interest on state debt” or “debt servicing costs.”
Key Data on Victorian Debt Interest:
• Current Daily Cost: Reports indicate interest payments are approximately $24–$28 million per day.
• Annual Interest Bill: The state’s annual interest expense is expected to exceed $10 billion, with estimations ranging from $10.5 billion to $14.3 billion.
• Future Growth: Projections suggest interest costs could reach $28.8 million per day by 2029.
• Context: By 2027–28, interest repayments are estimated to exceed $1 million per hour.”
Philip Christoff said: Been waiting 5 years, don’t hold your breath, be another 10 years.”
Stephen Reyne said: “Voting time is coming. You wouldn’t have got a red cent otherwise.”
Howard Smith said: “I’ll believe poor old Charlton will get a new station when I see it being built.”
Craig Lukies said: “Where’s the 15 Billion dollars (money emojies) ???”
Gordon Young said: “Look at those handsome men... Thank you for your service.”
Jack Rees: “Another puppet.”
Renae Kate said: “Where’s the money coming from when the state is in so much debt (money emoji)?”
Selena Stanley said: “Election coming so they will throw around promises they won’t keep!!! Vote one nation!”
Lachlan Butterfield said: “A lot of this has been promised over a 10 year span. Will be about 2.5 elections during that period. Also half of the $100million for fire trucks is for “refurbishing existing CFA vehicles” so not new and safer trucks. Just jazzing up the already failing and old ones. Such a waste of funding.”
Michael Webster said: “And the CFA Captain, Michael Shay absolutely gave it to her. Give the man a medal….”
David Moncrieff said: “Election year ppl where’s the rest of the emergency tax money gone.”
Neil Enlick said: “Keep waiting boys and girls u never get her promises”
Tom Russell said: “More BS election promise.”
Robert Green said: “So where are representatives from all the benefactors of the redistribution of our money?”
Stephen Round said: “Commonwealth games 2.0.”
Ann Batters replier: “And that went well didn’t it?”
Jordan Kolb said: “Chasing votes is what I see!”
David Perkins said: “They will get promises and stuff all given out before the election and then suddenly there’s no money for the promises.”
Danny Stevenson said: “That is one day’s interest bill on your borrowings. Let that sink in.”
Anzac Day march St Arnaud
JOY Cross said: “Wreath laying ceremony done, now let’s march! (hand clap emoji).”
Mike Liszka said: “Good job St Arnaud (thumbs up emoji).”
Lindee Parry said: “Well done St Arnaud (flower emoji).”
Geoff Stopps said: “St Arnaud may attend your dedication next year ours not so good.”
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