Despite numerous polls predicting the demise of the Coalition’s reign over Victoria, Premier Denis Napthine is quietly confident the government has done enough to stay in power.

Speaking exclusively to Neos Kosmos’ Kostas Nikolopoulos, Dr Napthine says the polls aren’t worrying him.

“The only poll that counts is the ballot box,” he said to Neos Kosmos.

“The polls are volatile and subject to various interpretations; the result of the ballot box is the verdict of the people of the state. And I’m sure that on
November 29 the people will re-elect my government. “

Taking over the leadership in early 2013 after then premier Ted Baillieu resigned, Dr Napthine has continued to introduce strong fiscal policy while promoting a big infrastructure boom.

Dr Napthine wants to be known as the ‘infrastructure premier’, mirroring Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s self proclamation.

“Last May we pledged to invest 27 billion dollars in the next four years for infrastructure projects,” he says.

“[These] long-term projects, which will give work to ten thousand people, will increase the productivity of the state, will decongest traffic and encourage people to use public transport for their daily needs.”

Some of the planned construction works have voters divided, especially the unpopular East West Link that will see many Greek Australians’ homes repossessed.

More popular projects will see the elimination of about 40 level-crossings, and the introduction of a new Melbourne Rail link that will connect parts of the CBD and nearby suburbs to the rail network.

Dr Napthine has stood by his government’s decision to radically alter the distribution of taxi licences despite the outcries of many Greek Australian licencee holders.

“The measures announced are positive and reinforce, not undermine, their owner’s taxi licenses,” he says.

“The adjustment of the value of licences in the cost of living will protect future value, and the incentives to taxi drivers guarantee to attract the number of drivers needed by industry for the smooth functioning of the network.”

Dr Napthine been congratulated on not bowing to Federal pressure and has been one of the strongest State premiers campaigning against tough budget reforms.

The $7 GP co-payment for people wanting to visit their doctor is something Dr Napthine strongly rejects. He believes the ramifications of the co-payment will directly affect state coffers.

He believes charging people to visit their GP will force people to defer seeking help or go to hospital emergency wards, thereby clogging waiting rooms.
Increased emergency patients means the government has successfully transferred the cost of treatment to the state, forcing people to avoid using Medicare.

It’s no secret that the Victorian Premier is hoping to enhance his vote by appealing to the multicultural melting pot that is Melbourne.

The Premier was seen in the Greek Australian heartland of Oakleigh this week, meeting diners at Eaton Mall and giving the Liberal candidate for the electorate, Theo Zographos party backing.

The government has championed multiculturalism and recently released a new policy, ‘Victoria’s Advantage – Unity, Diversity, Opportunity’ to better gauge the success of multiculturalism while keeping their own government bodies accountable for its service delivery to ethnic communities.

The government believes multiculturalism is an asset for the state, helping it financially and socially.

“The government considers multiculturalism valuable asset for the state, because it enriches and improves our quality of life strengthens our economy and makes Victoria a better and very strong state,” he says.