There are many things in Gippsland East that make it quite unique
Like the Cabbage Tree palms that grow beside - the beautiful Cabbage Tree Creek.
Why they’re there - in their discrete lair - is an answer that scientists seek.

We live in a democracy, - we’re told - and it is true
We sometimes get to have a vote and pick out someone new
To run this State if that’s what we want- and, at times, that’s what we do.

In ‘99, the Premier said, "September is the best,
The footy’s on and everyone - puts politics to rest
And no one cares two hoots if we - keep feathering our nest.

I’ve got the city press on side - the budget’s in the black
I’m building Docklands Stadium - the Grand Prix’s right on track,
With all I’ve done for Melbourne, why would they vote for Bracks?"

Then East Timor hit the fan - it was like a gift divine
It took up all the news space - Braksy hardly got a line
And Jeffrey’s mates were confident that he was doing fine.

But Jeffrey heard a little voice - it came from far away
"Out in the bush, we’re hurting," were the words it seemed to say
But Jeffrey just dismissed it with "We’ll fix that up - some day.

But the city must come first and all our wishes met.
What’s good for us is good for you - that’s something you forget
And Melbourne has a lot of things that need doing yet.

It really is unreasonable that you should think that we
Should pay for your resources that we now get for free
And if you use our Citylink, then you should pay the fee.

It’s for your good we dig those holes that mar your countryside
And build those lines and pylons that wander far and wide
You should be grateful for the jobs - and smog that we provide.

Our rivers, too, are there for you - to care for and admire.
To pay the rates like all your mates should be your heart’s desire
But when we pinch the water, - why does it raise your ire?

You think the Thomson River - should feed the Gippsland lakes
Or be used for irrigation as its way it makes
But environmental folks like us - don’t fall for those mistakes.

We really need to wash our cars, and flush our gutters clean
To water all the gardens and keep lawns all fresh and green,
That precious water isn’t yours - that thought is quite obscene.

We don’t need your vegetables - or your milk and meat,
We’ll get it from New Zealand if the market you can’t meet
It’s not our fault if our demands mean you can’t compete.

The mighty Snowy River flowed - from mountains to the sea
The Lord above had made a blue - as all could plainly see
So we sent it all inland - and made ‘lectricity.

Your oil and gas we take for free and we wonder why
The price you pay for gas and fuel - is so very high
Some day - some how, we’ll fix that too – and that day pigs will fly."

With comfort spreading words like these, the Premier sallied forth
With all the editorials extolling his great worth
"He cannot lose" "Perhaps a swing" "A seat or two at worst".

The big day came - the votes were cast - then the count began
The "experts" made predictions just the way the papers ran
They did not sense the anger of the man upon the land.

At end of day they could not say who’d be the government
They still thought it would be Jeffrey, to whom "a message had been sent",
He could try - eat humble pie - perhaps his ego dent.

Then in the east there rose a star - like many moons ago.
The voters in far Gippsland East, to the Nationals said "No,
We want better treatment here - and to see the Snowy flow."

After several days under constant gaze, the final figures showed
Craig Ingram was the victor and the Nationals had been cowed
For 80 years they held the seat but the seeds of change were sowed.

* * * * * * *

There was horror down in Melbourne with all the "ifs" and "buts"
When the newsmen found that they had lost the plot
And their editorials thundered that some one - some where blundered
And the Man from Cabbage Tree would call the shots.

So they bleated and entreated for their power would be defeated
If they could not bludgeon Craig to back their cause.
They wanted Libs in power and the country folk to cower
Like yokels paying deference to their lords.

And in the coalition faced with power devolution
They could not see the problem that had caused the rural slide
And heads began to roll like there’d been a revolution
But you cannot serve two masters when their interests collide.

The pendulum had swung - in the centre it was hung
The time to use your power for all your worth
But the Nationals missed out - they had used up all their clout
When the Liberals did not need them at the coalition’s birth.

There must be something wrong - its been going on too long
Where rural folk are treated - like the serfs of long ago.
For country folk do care - they only want their share
Of the riches that this nation does bestow.