Ballina Information Blog

A re-elected Coalition Government will fully fund the Alstonville bypass, starting in 2008, and also upgrade the Bruxner Highway intersection with the Pacific Highway, the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile announced today. This announcement is part of the Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Australia’s Transport Future, an integrated vision tackling local […]

Page candidates from the major parties will have to overcome the ‘donkey vote’ if they are to win the seat at the November 24 poll. The Nationals’ Chris Gulaptis has drawn last position on the ballot. Labor’s Janelle Saffin has drawn six. For Page, the ballot is: 1 Doug Behn, Independent; 2 Mirian Vega, Family […]

He came bearing gifts, and he left with one of his own. Labor leader Kevin Rudd today paid a surprise visit to the Page electorate, and promised almost half a billion dollars for the Ballina bypass and $90 million for the much-longed-for Alstonville bypass. Mr Rudd and Page candidate Janelle Saffin announced that a Rudd […]

Punters watching the Melbourne Cup at the Ballina RSL Club this afternoon are in for a surprise. Labor leader Kevin Rudd is a strong tip to be there. Local ALP officials have been informed that Mr Rudd will be there. Ballina Info will keep you informed on Mr Rudd’s visit.

A Rudd Labor government will help first home-buyers get into the housing market with a new superannuation-style saving scheme. Janelle Saffin, Labor Candidate for Page, says Kevin Rudd’s new low-tax First Home Saver Accounts will be a great way for young people in the local area to save up for a deposit on their first […]

Labor Candidate for Page Janelle Saffin says a Rudd Labor Government is offering increased financial support to older Australians, carers and people with disabilities, to help them with utilities, transport and communication costs. Ms Saffin says Labor’s plan, Making Ends Meet, will help pensioners, self-funded retirees and other eligible Australians in very practical ways. “This […]

Labor candidate for Page Janelle Saffin says she is delighted with Kevin Rudd’s visit to Grafton hospital to announce an investment of $23 million dollars in health services. Ms Saffin says $18 million will go to urgently needed upgrades of the emergency department and operating theatres at Grafton Base Hospital, with another $5 million for […]

This month’s inflation rise will put further pressure on the family budget at a time when families in this region are already stretched financially, Labor candidate for Page Janelle Saffin says. Ms Saffin said this electorate has the fifth highest percentage of people on low incomes in the country, with many families struggling financially. The […]

Page Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis has declared building the Alstonville bypass is his top campaign priority, along with fixing the North Coast hospitals crisis. “Successive State Labor Governments have promised Alstonville residents their bypass without ever delivering. Larry Anthony secured $12 million in Federal funding to make it happen, but Labor cashed the cheque and […]

Federal Labor has announced a plan that will see solar panels and water tanks installed in schools around Australia. Labor Candidate for Page Janelle Saffin says every school in the Page electorate will be able to take advantage of the plan, which includes grants of up to $20,000 for solar panels and up to $30,000 […]