More than 860,000 older Australians face being left without essential support services after a Senate inquiry confirmed the Albanese Government has no credible plan for the future of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) beyond 1 July 2027. Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, said the inquiry findings laid bare the…
DetailsThe Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has demanded the Allan Labor Government produce a clear and public funding commitment for the long-awaited Hamilton Base Hospital redevelopment. Since 2022, Western District Health Service has been seeking funding to upgrade the hospital’s emergency department and intensive care unit, which former chief executive Rohan Fitzgerald said failed…
DetailsA Liberal and Nationals government will commit to get mental health reforms back on track and address the growing Victorian mental health crisis. The latest Kids Helpline Impact Report revealed the mental health service responded to 128,998 contacts in 2025 at an average of 353 per day. Alarmingly, counsellors were required to undertake 5,190 crisis…
Detailshe Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is encouraging neighbourhood houses, food relief providers and community organisations across the region to apply for funding through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Security Program – Local Grants as demand for food support continues to grow. Ms Cleeland said local organisations were facing increasing pressure as more families…
DetailsAustralia Post’s Group CEO and Managing Director, Paul Graham, will have tough questions to answer when he fronts a Senate inquiry into Australia Post’s secret plans to close up to 36 metropolitan licensed post offices (LPOs) and entice regional and rural LPOs to move from perpetual to fixed-term licences as part of a ‘format conversions’…
DetailsThe Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has gone into bat for Latrobe Valley business owners, questioning Premier Jacinta Allan about why she insists on using them as “cash cows”. Speaking in State Parliament last week, Mr Cameron pointed to Labor’s toxic taxes and financial mismanagement as having a disastrous impact on local businesses. “We…
DetailsIn 150 days, Victorians get to do something the Allan Labor Government should fear: vote. Ask people across our region what’s keeping them up at night and the answer is consistent – the cost of living, crime, and health. The financial squeeze is very real – it’s a mortgage that’s grown, a grocery bill that’s…
DetailsGrowing community concern about the recently overhauled Leongatha–Wonthaggi bus timetable was escalated to state parliament last week. Speaking in parliament, The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said South Gippsland and Bass Coast residents are reporting missed connections, longer travel times and reduced access to key services. “It is unacceptable basic…
DetailsDear Editor, As the final round of the 2026 Penrite Australian Superbike Championship approaches, I would like to wish five-time Australian Champion Josh Waters all the very best as he prepares to compete at Queensland Raceway. Josh has been a mainstay of Australian motorcycle racing for many years and has built a reputation…
DetailsRegional Victoria will be guaranteed 25 per cent of all new Victorian Government infrastructure spending under a future Nationals and Liberals Government, ensuring country communities finally receive funding that reflects their share of the state’s population. The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said the Fair Share Guarantee would help address years of underinvestment…
DetailsThe Albanese Government has once again broken its word, cutting a deal with the Greens to restrict self-managed super funds and take away Australians’ retirement choices. Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said that the Prime Minister had repeatedly insisted he would not do deals with the Greens, yet Mr Albanese has broken trust with…
DetailsAnother alleged overnight arson attack in Gippsland is further evidence of crime spiralling out of control under the Allan Labor Government. The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said the Warragul incident which occurred on a convenience store was “deeply concerning.” “Victorians have been abandoned by the soft-on-crime Labor Government while the community pays…
Details