Latrobe City ratepayers should be outraged at another level of subsidy for the coal industry that they are paying, says Greens candidate for the Gippsland by-election, Dr Malcolm McKelvie.

 "When Jeff Kennett privatised the power industry he granted them a 5 year stay on paying the local government rates - the same situation that existed for SECV. For some reason this moratorium has been extended by the State Government ever since. As a result Latrobe City Council is missing out on around $10 million every year.

Here's the question I put to the other candidates (except Ben Buckley who was also snubbed) from the floor at the Rural Press Club luncheon.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will be campaigning in Gippsland tomorrow with Greens candidate Dr Malcolm McKelvie.

Senator Brown and Dr McKelvie will hold a press conference tomorrow morning at 12.30pm to discuss the Greens’ policy to reduce power bills and greenhouse gas emissions by retrofitting houses for energy efficiency and the Greens’ policy to increase aged pensions by $30 a week, which has been adopted by the Liberal candidate.

  12.30pm – Press conference with Senator Bob Brown, Australian Greens Leader and