It would seem that in the name of “advancement” and “progress” they are hurtling this district down a path the rest of the nation is attempting to retreat from.

And anyone who gets in their way is “negative” and “anti-progress”.

Recently their representative indicated that they had been on a fact finding mission.

It would seem to be a fairly superficial mission, as by the next week they indicated that they would support all aspects of the Mildura Jewel project.

A pity that their “intensive research” didn’t include such authoritative sources as the Federal Government’s Productivity Report, or Victoria’s Justice Department’s report into the links between crime and gaming machines, or the Tasmanian Government’s Impact Study into Gambling in Tasmania.

These documents provide clear data that the impact of gaming machines is both socially and economically detrimental to communities.

Perhaps they should have talked to a number of state governments and municipal councils who are investigating or introducing policies to reduce such impacts and control gaming machine numbers and control betting.

Maybe they needed to take notice of those who have done the hard work.

Let’s support the recommendation of our eminent citizens and conduct a proper plebiscite to establish that.

And I see they intend to hold a “stop work” to promote their cause.

Sounds like a pretty reactive and negative step to me.

Perhaps they should be renamed “Progress Mildura Backwards”.

Bob Walton,

Red Cliffs.