The budget is unlikely to return to surplus even if there is tri-partisan support between Scott Morrison, Chris Bowen and the senate.

The government expenditures being targeted by Scott Morrison’s endeavours were initiated because the out-dated economic system was making it impossible for people do it for themselves, as well as provide for infrastructure maintenance and construction.

Savings alone will never pay off the mortgage – an increase in revenue must be part of the equation.

If the government is going to rely on savings, a good place to start is the perks after they leave parliament.

It is obscene that their pension after being kicked out of parliament is a good living and is not diminished by taking another job.

Add on the free travel and free office space that nobody else that loses his job can front up for.

Until the economic rules are updated so sufficient money is generated in the total of our economic activity, the poor will continue to become poorer, as bemoaned by several of your correspondents.

RON FISCHER

Horsham

I LIVE in the west of Horsham and would very much like to see a second bridge built somewhere near the weir so you don’t have to travel down to Williams Road traffic lights every time you want to go out to Haven.

I think the bypass routes should be somewhere out past Grains Innovation Park and onto the Western Highway towards Dimboola, even if that means an overpass of the Curran or Remlaw roads.

I think it’s a better option.

Truck drivers could travel on the Plumpton Road and still be able to stop at the Horsham Roadhouse to have something to eat and fill up.

It may mean construction of a bridge, but it would probably not be as expensive as some other routes.

Many of the other options require the construction of extra long roads.

I would really like to see the bridge built sooner rather than later.

CARMEL MACKIN

Horsham  

A NEW road safety program will challenge Victorian youths to come up with a campaign to reduce the high number of young people who die on the state’s roads.

Green Man Grants aim to address the disproportionately high number of young people involved in Victorian road trauma - encouraging people aged 18 to 25 to present ideas on how to make the roads safer for their peers.

The program aims to make young people think about the important role they play in reducing road trauma.

We want to encourage young people to think outside the square about ways they can get home safely every time they use our roads.

Successful entrants will receive up to $50,000 to develop their idea further with the help of an industry mentor.

Up to 10 ideas will be selected, with each to receive a $5000 cash prize after the completion of the project.

In the five years to the end of 2015, 22 per cent of drivers killed in Victoria were aged 18 to 25 – despite that age group representing just 13 per cent of Victorian licence holders.

The high number of fatalities can be attributed to inexperience combined with increased risk taking among some younger drivers.

The government and its road safety partners are working Towards Zero, a future free from deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Addressing the unacceptable number of young lives lost on our roads is a major priority for us and we are working with the TAC to find new ways to do that.

Entrants are encouraged to think creatively about ways to engage with their peers, whether it is through a smartphone app, short film, poster or any other medium.

Entries must tackle one of three themes:

The Green Man Grants are part of the Andrews Labor government’s $156 million Young Driver Safety Package.

To enter the Green Man Grants visit www.greenmangrants.com.au by October 6.

LUKE DONNELLAN

Minister for Roads and Road Safety

BICYCLE Network will update Halls Gap residents on plans for the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride at a community meeting on Monday, September 12.

The meeting will discuss the route and campsites, plans for road closures and traffic treatments as well as how community groups can get involved and make it a week to remember.

More than 4000 bike riders will roll from Halls Gap to Geelong via the Great Ocean Road from November 26 to December 4 as part of the ride, camping overnight at seven towns along the way.

We will be exploring some of Victoria’s best scenery from Halls Gap to the Great Ocean Road and want to make sure that each town can give riders an extraordinary experience.

The floor will be open at the meeting for residents to discuss the ride and see how they can be a part of the festivities.

The meeting will run from 6pm at the Halls Gap Hub Visitor Information Centre.

REBECCA LANE

General Manager of Events, Bicycle Network