Simply, Prime Minister Scott Morrison does not have to.

Regardless of whether a Coalition, Labor, or minority government holds power, at state or federal level, such governments have the right to run their full term if they wish.

It appears to me that Labor devotees such as Mr Price are becoming very worried that polling not only shows PM Morrison continuing to hold a commanding preferred PM lead over Mr Shorten, but also the gap between the Coalition and Labor, on a two-party preferred basis, continues to steadily close.

Though Mr Price's attempts to write in an 'ocker style' provide minor amusement, I remind him such did not help former Labor PM Kevin Rudd.

Mr Price, could you kindly advise when and where Scott Morrison has been using a megaphone to “scare the living daylights out of them (the general public) on a daily basis", as you claim in your letter?

It was impossible for residents to ask informed questions of, or offer thoughtful contributions to, councillors on the GovHub proposal because the officers’ report was limited and confusing and the chief executive deemed most key documents confidential.

The officers, the government, and gagged councillors held all the cards. 

Most of us agree on the need to consolidate council offices on one site.

The big concerns are how council has gone about the process and did it get the best deal?

Without following the details in Recommendation 11 from the Independent Review on office consolidation, which called for significant communication and community consultation, a feasibility study and a full investment grade business case, a council officers’ report at the last minute was lobbed in residents’ laps recommending council government co-location into a $90-million leased GovHub. Council debated the proposal on Wednesday night.

No GovHub consultation, nothing in the community plan, no previous council agenda item etc. No wonder residents get mad.

Ballarat will receive $100 million for their hub, built on crown land, and 600 new jobs. Bendigo receives a paltry $16 million and 100 jobs and us giving up our land.

Our compliant mayor and chief executive say we can’t compare the two proposals. A smokescreen! Greater Bendigo is being dudded big time and that’s not fair!

Ballarat also received numerous state government benefits at the expense of Bendigo, including the recent country VicRoads headquarters and the impending high speed rail extension. No wonder property prices went up nine per cent; Bendigo only four per cent. Ballarat building approvals up 54 per cent; Bendigo region 22 per cent.

How groups like the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry can support the project ("Business groups welcome Bendigo GovHub site", Bendigo Advertiser, February 14) without access to decisive “confidential” key documents is beyond me.

Councillors, stand up for Greater Bendigo!

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