Compared to European standards it would be lucky to be classed second rate but our local Member Jacinta Allen stated 'that Bendigo get the service they deserve'.

Transport Minister Melissa Horne says 'the essential works will ensure more reliable and comfortable journeys'.

I doubt if either Minister would have used the service in the last year and in Melissa Horne's case she probably never has so the statements are more rhetoric than facts.

Many years ago I was travelling on a Melbourne suburban train and I caught sight of some clever graffiti which I have never forgotten. It read "Disarm today, deform tomorrow".

I have never again seen graffiti worth noting.

Pennyweight Lane which runs between Hargreaves Street and Bath Lane and is currently a disgraceful mess. It is covered in graffiti.

While things are pretty quiet, the lane could be closed and the graffiti cleaned off.

The very old third rate art works removed. Security cameras installed and the gates closed and locked at 5.30pm and re-opened at 8.30am.

Social artists might be asked to submit artworks to exhibit, these would need to change regularly.

Vandals might then be identified and fined and made to clean any mess they made.

The underpass at the McIvor Road Railway Crossing is also another disgraceful mess.

This also needs cleaning and lighting and security cameras installed.

We can but hope something will be done to clean up the city.

The real key question of this century is to how to preserve the liberty of the individual in an age when the state is becoming powerfully intrusive in our private lives.

The federal government's attempt at dealing with the economic interests of our nation should not forget the individual.

I am concerned at the areas our government has missed.

The areas of underpaid, no pay, robodebt, local government forgotten in the axing of COAG.

The cry that we are all in this together seems a long way away.

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