High five Howard

By Paul Dunlop
PRIME Minister John Howard promised extra funding for bypass works and shrugged off any hint of a fall-out with local MP Russell Broadbent during a lively visit to Pakenham yesterday.
Mr Howard, recently at odds with Mr Broadbent over tough new immigration laws, was given a rousing reception by more than 700 people at a community reception at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Mr Howard was in town as Mr Broadbent’s guest during his whistlestop tour of the McMillan electorate.
He said the Federal Government would support a bypass of Kooweerup on top of its contribution to the $242 million Pakenham bypass which is currently under construction.
The PM was also quick to dispel any suggestion that his visit was orchestrated as a show of solidarity with Mr Broadbent, who famously crossed the floor to vote against his government’s laws.
“I have great respect for Russell Broadbent, he is a terrific local MP,” Mr Howard said.
“He is an incredibly energetic and hard hitting representative for this area,” Mr Howard said.
Mr Broadbent said the PM was very welcome in Pakenham.
Mr Howard said he had long made a practice of visiting electorates around the country when Parliament was not sitting.
The PM would have been pleased with the reception he received.
He and Mr Broadbent both praised the strong community spirit that continued to thrive in the fast-growing town.
School children, community representatives, service club members, scouts, guides and volunteers from several groups and organisations clapped and cheered as the PM and Mr Broadbent moved among the crowd.
Mr Howard described Pakenham as a town which was still rural at heart but continuing to expand on several levels. He paid tribute to the many volunteer organisations.
The number of people at the gathering was such that at least one person had to be treated by first aid staff after beginning to feel faint.
Earlier children from the Lakeside Lutheran School led the audience in singing the national anthem, supported by the Cardinia Civic Concert Band.
Mr Howard stayed for about two hours, posing for pictures with residents, shaking hands and even dishing out high fives to a couple of young locals.
He also pledged his government’s support for a Kooweerup bypass to follow the Pakenham bypass.
Mr Howard quipped that coming to Pakenham had been an ‘expensive trip’.
Sean Quagliani and friend Daniel Mason were the happy recipients of the PM’s ‘skin’.
“I got Steve Bracks another time and now I’ve high-fived John Howard as well,” Sean said.
Jean and Jim Bowman travelled all the way from Poowong to be at the reception.
Jackie Murphy said her 10-year-old daughter Michelle had pledged not to wash her hand again after it was shaken by the PM.