This is a tax of at least $13,000 on every gold mining job in Victoria, year in year out.

For smaller mines with slim margins, the tax rate is 50 per cent.

And it hits mines even if they are unprofitable.

Mining does not oppose a royalty.

Workers are only after a fair hearing and modest changes to make sure the tax doesn't hit jobs or send mines under because of small changes in the gold price or mine production.

If the government won't listen, it's up to independent members of Parliament to support local mining workers and block this tax in Parliament in February.

That way the government can fix the tax with a fair process.

If Premier Daniel Andrews gets away with foisting a great big new tax on the people of Bendigo to pay for Labor's infrastructure cost blow outs, who will be next in regional Victoria?

I was pleased to read a recent article about the Victorian Theatre Guild Awards and the success that Bendigo Theatre Company experienced.

I just want to say that this incredible result has been many years in the making and is the result of the dedicated people in the performing arts community in Bendigo who have worked tirelessly over a long period of time.

This includes the school communities who work so hard each year to incorporate the performing arts, to the youth theatre groups who provide such grounding for their young charges.

It includes the Capital Staff, the Bendigo Council (including our patron, Rod Fyffe) and the many other theatre groups who make up our vibrant arts community.

This desire for excellence is what drives us on and has resulted in theatrical performances that improve with each season.

We all share in this amazing recognition.

Well done.

I thought NBN was the next best thing to sliced bread!