GOOD LUCK: Opposition leader Daniel Andrews wishes Bendigo Spirit's Gabe Richards well for the Women's National Basketball League grand final during a visit to the city on Friday.
Victoria’s opposition leader Daniel Andrews said he would be visiting Bendigo regularly between now and the next election as he looked to target regional Victorian voters.
Mr Andrews visited Bendigo yesterday in the wake of Ted Baillieu’s shock resignation as Victorian premier on Wednesday night.
Mr Andrews accused the Victorian government of neglecting Bendigo in the months leading up to Denis Napthine’s accession to the Liberal leadership.
“They have been (neglecting Bendigo) in many respects for regional Victoria; a disinterested government,” he said.
He said the delay to construction of the new Bendigo hospital was evidence of this.
“No person in Bendigo would seriously believe that any member of the government has thought about jobs in Bendigo, health in Bendigo, education or TAFE in Bendigo in the last week or in the last few months,” he said.
“The tender process for the new Bendigo hospital has been shambolic.”
Mr Andrews said he had plans to visit Bendigo to work on solutions to problems such as the Bendigo train line.
“Well before the next election I’ll be back here many times... and we’ll be able to lay out for Bendigo a clear plan,” he said.
“We’ve spent quite lot of time listening to the people of Bendigo, whether it’s in local forums, speaking to residents or employers...making sure we understand the issues.
“We want to see (Bendigo) grow and prosper.”
A spokesman for Denis Napthine could not be reached for comment.