Labor comes to town

By Dion Teasdale
WARBURTON will be abuzz with politicians and media when the Victorian Parliamentary Labor Party holds its annual conference in the town next week.
Up to 80 state Labor MPs and their staff, including Premier Steve Bracks, the Government’s senior ministers and party backbenchers, will descend on the town for the two days.
All of the parliamentarians are booked to stay overnight on Wednesday, 1 February, with some staying two nights. Most accommodation outlets in and around Warburton have been booked out for the event.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said she was delighted the State Government had chosen Warburton as the venue for the conference to be held on 1 and 2 February.
“I have been encouraging the Government to hold the conference in Warburton for the past three years.
“I think Warburton is the perfect place for a conference, given its beauty and location, and its reputation as a tourist destination. Also, the whole Upper Yarra is an area that I believe will be of interest to all members of the Government,” she said.
Ms Lobato said the staging of the conference in Warburton would bring economic benefits to the town.
“I think it is a great thing that our caucus can contribute to the town’s economy by using conference facilities, staying in local accommodation and eating locally,” she said.
Ms Lobato said despite the tight conference schedule, she was looking forward to taking the premier and ministers on a tour of sites and projects in Warburton.
“I’m eager to show the Government what a vibrant, cohesive, determined community Warburton is,” she said.
Warburton Highway Tourism president Baden Berry said tourism operators were looking forward to the conference.
“It’s not often that you get such a large group like this, especially mid-week. It is a boon to accommodation providers and to a lot of other businesses in town,” he said.
“It will be an opportunity to focus some attention on important projects the town is currently working on, such as the connection of natural gas and the future use of the hospital. It is a wonderful opportunity having the decision-makers on issues that are facing our community right now on our doorstep.”
Mr Berry praised Ms Lobato for her role in securing the staging of the conference in Warburton. “It’s like she has a bit of her heart over here, and this is another feather in her hat,” he said.
Ms Lobato said she would be encouraging her colleagues to take time out to enjoy the surrounds.
“I hope that members will find at least half an hour to wander through town,” she said. “I’ll be encouraging members to take off their shoes, roll up their pants and have a paddle in the river.”