The Nationals will stand candidates in both the Polwarth and South-West Coast by-elections. Former Member for Western Victoria Region David O’Brien has been endorsed as the candidate for Polwarth, while nominations for South-West Coast are open. Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said Mr O’Brien was a true local champion with a track record of…
The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie welcomed today’s decision to ensure licensed firearms users and industry representatives have meaningful input into the review of the technical aspects of the National Firearms Agreement (NFA). “This is a common sense decision which is long overdue,” Senator McKenzie said. “Establishing the Industry Reference Group and providing further…
The Andrews Labor Government must explain to the aged care sector how it will help providers cope with the cost of the new AFL grand final public holiday. Shadow Minister for Senior Victorians Tim Bull said aged care providers were facing a massive wages bill for that day, but the government was offering no help.…
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath recently visited health service providers in East Gippsland and listened to concerns about attracting and retaining medical professionals in country areas. Ms Bath met with health professionals at Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health and Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre to learn more about the health providers and…
Regional jobs and businesses will be some of the hardest hit by the Andrews Labor Government’s two new public holidays, according to the state’s peak tourism body. Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said despite Daniel Andrews’ claims that the new holidays would bring tourists to the regions, the truth was that most tourism businesses…
Shadow Minister for Disability Tim Bull and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Bernie Finn recently met with Amaze (formerly Autism Victoria) to discuss the term of reference of its new Inquiry into services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Inquiry, to be undertaken by the Family and Community Development Committee, will provide up to…
Labor promised 100,000 full-time jobs within two years. “The Back To Work Act – will support the creation of 100,000 full time jobs and will be introduced during the first sitting week of the new Parliament.” Source: Daniel Andrews media statement – 6 October 2014 “The plan will help create up to 100,000 new jobs…
The Liberal-Nationals Coalition cannot support the Melbourne Labor Government’s proposed sale of the Port of Melbourne in its current form. It is a dud deal for Victorians, particularly country Victorians, and would damage the competitiveness of our export sector. Victoria is the freight and logistics capital of Australia, with the Port of Melbourne handling around…
This morning on the Today Show, Daniel Andrews, when discussing Melbourne’s future capacity to host major events, said: “…Victoria’s been a bit sleepy in the last three or four years, well that all changes now”. However, during this so-called “sleepy period”, Victoria either hosted or secured hosting rights for the Cricket World Cup, the Asian…
On 9 February, Daniel Andrews’ Minister for Training and Skills promised he would release a VET Funding Review interim report within 100 days. It’s been 121 days since then and there is still no sign of the report. After spending years calling for more certainty in the sector, Daniel Andrews has left training providers in…
The Nationals 99th State Conference will take place in Echuca at the Mercure Port of Echuca on Friday 15th & Saturday 16th May 2015. If you would like to attend, please click on the link below: http://vic.nationals.org.au/99th_state_conference
TAFE annual reports released this week demonstrate the legacy of failure of Labor’s training sector reforms. Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan said that in 2008, Labor introduced an uncontrolled, fully contestable market which forced TAFEs to compete with private providers for students and funding. “It is Labor’s training sector reforms dating…