The Andrews Government’s staggered return to school plan for students in regional Victoria puts local primary schools at a significant disadvantage, according to Nationals Member for Euroa Steph Ryan. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Ms Ryan said the decision to allow only some year levels to return to onsite learning did not go far enough. Research…
The Victorian Ombudsman has announced an investigation will be launched into the Andrews Labor Government’s failed handling of border entry and the Victorian travel permit system. Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said the indefinite locking out of Victorians from their own homes was one of the worst over-reaches he has seen from…
The Andrews Labor Government continues to ignore public health advice on the mental health harms of school closures and ongoing restrictions for children and adolescents. Research today from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has found “continued lockdowns and school closures” – not COVID-19 – is the “main risk to children and adolescents’ health in this…
Gippsland tourism and hospitality venues will need state government financial support, despite the easing of lockdown restrictions starting tonight. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien is going into bat for those businesses for whom the lifting of some restrictions means little, but who are worried they’ll lose access to vital financial support.…
The Andrews Labor Government has muddied the waters with its mixed messages on whether 80 per cent vaccination rates will lead Victoria out of lockdown. Vaccination rates in the Shepparton region have reached 30.8 per cent of people aged over 15 fully vaccinated, while 55.1 per cent of people have at least received their first…
Shepparton food processor SPC recently became the first Australian business to mandate COVID vaccination for all onsite staff and visitors. Announcing the commercial decision, SPC chair Hussein Rifai was quoted in The Weekly Times (5 August 2021, Link: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/breaking-news/spc-to-make-covid19-vaccinations-mandatory-for-all-staff-visitors/news-story/0f46fad8892e159596c4aa6bfb3560c8): “We honestly saw very little other options but to take this step”. Protecting the…
Today’s announcement dismantling the border bubble by the Andrews Labor Government’s new permit scheme is an unnecessary, bureaucratic impost that will crush Victorian-New South Wales border communities. From 1pm Thursday 12 August, a permit system will replace existing licence checks for border community residents to allow border residents to travel between NSW and…
Member for Euroa and Deputy Nationals leader Steph Ryan has renewed calls for the immediate introduction of rapid testing in Victoria. Ms Ryan undertook a rapid antigen test last week before entering Parliament, to demonstrate how fast they are. “The test was easy and quick. In 15 minutes I had a negative result and I…
Daniel Andrews’ decision to lockdown the entire state for another seven days, despite the outbreak being confined to parts of Melbourne, smacks of hypocrisy. Just a week ago, the Premier was arrogantly verballing New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian over the Sydney outbreak, saying: “a ring of steel will work, it will, and that’s why…
Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has reiterated calls for the Andrews Labor Government to roll out rapid COVID tests after being screened on the steps of Victorian Parliament today. Ms Kealy took a rapid antigen test and received her negative result in minutes. She is urging the government to adopt rapid testing…
The Nationals have vowed to vigorously oppose the latest push to remove the Lord’s Prayer from Parliament. Upper House Reason Party MP Fiona Patten has signalled she will move a motion to remove the longstanding tradition of reading the prayer at the beginning of each Parliamentary sitting day when Parliament resumes next week. It is…
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath is calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately extend eligibility for the $250 Power Saving Bonus to casual employees. “Casual workers have been disproportionally affected by Victoria’s five lockdowns,” said Ms Bath. “Casual workers require support from the State Government – they’ve lost more income…