For example, it is disgraceful that whilst our dams are emptying and our paddocks are parched, an average of 430 million litres of partially treated sewage is discharged every day at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. This represents 42 per cent of Melbourne's wastewater. This is not only environmental vandalism but a tragic waste of a precious resource. Water infrastructure and its upgrade is only one of many areas that need attention in the region. The Bass Coast and Western Port highways need further duplication to Wonthaggi and Hastings respectively, the Lilydale bypass needs to be constructed, and our rural roads and bridges require proper maintenance.

There has been too much cost shifting to local councils at a time when the farmer ratepayers of rural councils are struggling with drought. Long-term growth that is economically and environmentally sustainable and evenly spread requires long-term commitment and the courage to develop a plan that lasts beyond the next electoral cycle.

For a predominantly rural region such as Eastern Victoria natural disasters are a fact of life. Sadly, flood, drought and fire are well known to its people and to its environment. In recent weeks much of eastern Victoria has been on fire or is currently alight. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the firefighters and other volunteers who have done such a wonderful job in the face of such adversity. These fires are a reminder to us all of the complexity involved in properly managing our forests.

I believe that it is not responsible conservation to declare a new park, evict the people who have made their livelihood from the land and then lock it up until the noxious weeds and undergrowth have developed to such an extent that when fires start, they burn uncontrollably for weeks. Nor is it responsible conservation to ban logging in Victoria's forests, then source our timber needs from countries that practise logging with little or no government regulation and little or no concern for the environment.

Surely a responsible environmentalist would advocate that Australia be self sufficient in all its timber requirements. Our challenge is to not accept fashionable orthodoxies.

I look forward to working with the Liberal team to hold the government to account and to present the people of Victoria with an alternative government led by the Leader of the Opposition in the other place, Ted Baillieu. I welcome the opportunity that being a member of this chamber provides me to work for the betterment of all the people of Eastern Victoria Region on these and all issues of concern.