Source : Perth Now news
The Victorian Liberal Party’s campaign bus had a rough start on its maiden journey after reversing into the awning of a shopfront.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson launched the “Jess Express” on Friday, with a quick trip to Bentleigh in Melbourne’s south-east.
The big blue bus, featuring slogans including ‘dodging Labor’s potholes’, however ran into some trouble when it arrived at Centre Road in Bentleigh.
The mishap unfolded as the driver attempted to reverse parallel park, hitting the awning of a local jeweller and tearing away a section of its metal exterior.
Despite the store being closed at the time, the party told journalists that the store’s owners had been contacted to provide details.
The bus escaped major damage with only minor scratches visible.
Undeterred by the awning mishap, Ms Wilson quickly moved on, taking to the streets to chat with local residents in the electorate, including Sven Koernig.
The former police officer told AAP it was great to meet the opposition leader in person.
He feels like crime is out of control in the electorate.
“Victoria Police can’t solve the crime problem themselves, we don’t have enough police,” he said.
“It will take time for (change).”
Back on the bus, and journalists were handed safety cards offering a “guide to surviving 12 years of Labor”.
“Most importantly, please put your seatbelt on because we are going to hit potholes,” Ms Wilson jokingly told media.
The instructions also asked passengers to “remain calm” in the event of a “financial emergency”, along with a warning that motion sickness may be experienced by “Labor’s constant spin”.
The campaign bus also pulled into Double Pour Cafe in Bentleigh, where Ms Wilson swapped the campaign trail for the coffee machine, greeting workers, making coffees and helping fill orders.
It was a different day for the opposition leader, who just 24 hours earlier had abruptly cut short a press conference after less than five minutes, rejecting claims of a $6.35 billion shortfall in her campaign promises.
Ms Wilson on Friday told reporters she was committed to lifting the payroll tax threshold and reducing the rate within the first four years of government if elected.
Business owner Bhajji Singh said it’s never been so difficult to run a business.
“The payroll tax, the land tax, every single thing. It’s very hard and it’s not easy to run a small business,” he said.
Across Melbourne, Labor’s big red campaign bus was also out on the road, pulling up at the Kmart store where Premier Ben Carroll got his start to launch the retail chain’s Wishing Tree Appeal.
Mr Carroll then travelled to Dandenong where he committed to building trains, trams and buses locally in the state.
Polls have indicated the coalition holds the best chance of forming a majority government at the November 28 election, comfortably leading Labor and One Nation on primary vote.
