Tuesday, 29 April, 2025
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Illegal dumping piles up
Early voter verdicts
ANZAC Day respects
Bulls charge home
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Wonders of home paradise Thi Lien Phan’s wondrous home garden in Endeavour Hills is a labour of love. The colourful flowers and plants that she tends are a homage to her late parents, who shared and taught her the art of gardening. Recently Phan, pictured with a begonii in her many-splendoured oasis, was awarded a Bloom in Victoria award. More on the story, turn to page 13
(Rob Carew: 473401)
Final funds frenzy In the final throes of the federal election, a flurry of pledged cash has been splashed across Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills. The marginal seat of Bruce held by Labor MP Julian Hill since 2016 has been high on the major parties’ priority list. Both have called in senior politicians such as Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to woo voters. As of early Monday, Labor had promised more than $19 million into Greater Dandenong and
Endeavour Hills, including more than $10 million in the past week. This includes $5 million to upgrade Dandenong Hospital’s intensive-care unit, $4 million for Santhom Community Hub and $1.6 million for new CCTV cameras in Noble Park and Dandenong. The Liberal Party has in turn pledged $10 million in the region – its most recent announcement being $1.25 million for Manna4Life charity’s atrisk-youth program.
Several queuing at Dandenong early-voter centre last Tuesday disapproved of the bipartisan splurge. Voters commonly said cost-of-living and crime were their main issues. “So much money is being wasted where there shouldn’t be wasted,” said one voter. “It’ll be good to see a party come along that actually looks after the people and all the politicians are doing is looking after themselves.” Another voter liked funding for Dandenong
Hospital ICU but not to specific community groups. “All this other stuff is too much”, they said. Liberal Bruce candidate Zahid Safi meanwhile came under fresh scrutiny over his business record in running NDIS provider services. Questions from media outlets were unanswered, at the time of going to print. The final day of voting is Saturday 3 May. For our election coverage, turn to pages 4-7
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