"Following straight on the heels of yesterday's decision to sink $50 million of Victorian taxpayer dollars (and $100 million of federal money) into propping up another polluting power plant, it is clear that the state government just can't stop investing public funds in all the wrong things."

"We need to step up investment in energy efficiency and renewables that could easily supply the 5% of Victoria's energy needs that Minister Batchelor says the new dirty power plant is needed for. The Minister's claim that there is ample time to cut greenhouse gas emissions is a complete denial of the reality of climate change."

"The government has missed a golden opportunity to consign the grand prix to the dustbin of history. We have a crisis in our public transport system which could do with the  millions of dollars that the government will spend over the next seven years to prop up this wasteful and outdated event."

"I call on the government to release details of the 'deal' it has struck with Mr Ecclestone to continue staging the grand prix, instead of hiding it from Victorians as it has done for the past twelve years."

"The only kind of international exposure for ‘brand Melbourne’* that this race will generate is an impression that Melbourne is stuck in the dinosaur age."

Further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270

*John Brumby, The Age Online, http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/07/04/1214951007258.html