The Andrews Labor Government is being called on to take immediate action to fix the failing Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS). The scheme reimburses travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural Victorians when they are required to travel more than 100 kilometres one way for specialist medical treatment. Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader…
DetailsTaxi licencing and disability accreditation delays are impacting upon the viability of some taxi services in the Ovens Valley. Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said that he had been approached by a local taxi company, who were struggling to fill shifts due to the massive delays and red tape. “It is really disappointing…
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With a reduction in V/Line fares set to kick in from March 31, Nationals MPs have raised the need for improved service delivery, punctuality, reliability and investment. After The Nationals announced a comprehensive fare reform policy across Victoria’s public transport network in the lead up to the November election, the Labor Party scrambled to put…
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Recent reporting has shown the Andrews Government is failing to manage social and public housing demand despite marketing a multibillion dollar ‘Big Housing Build.’ Data released through the Victorian Housing Register showed the social housing waitlist has increased by 45 per cent since 2018 and only 74 additional social housing dwellings had been developed in…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government has voted against sensible amendments backed by overwhelming evidence that Medically Supervised Injecting Rooms (MSIR) should not operate next-door to schools. Labor has ignored concerns in the Ryan report around the escalating number of discarded needles and the impact of the injecting room on the safety and amenity of the area,…
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The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is calling on the Victorian Government to bolster its funding support of local CFA brigades ahead of the upcoming State Budget. Last year the Andrews Government collected $800 million from the fees Victorians pay to the fire services property levy with State Budget papers confirming that just $7.6…
DetailsVictoria’s justice system is failing, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over-represented in the prison system. Today’s State of Incarceration report shows that since 2012, Victoria’s incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has recorded a 91 per cent increase, higher than Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. It is…
DetailsSmall businesses which helped protect regional Victorian towns have been left to bear the cost as the Andrews Labor Government delays paying its bills. Despite promising to pay invoices from small businesses within 10 days, businesses in northern Victoria have been waiting more than 90 days for the State Government to pay bills of up…
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Local road users have been left out-of-pocket recently as poor road conditions have resulted in damage to vehicles. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Roads Safety, Danny O’Brien is calling on the Andrews Labor Government to ensure roads are repaired and maintained to a condition that ensures vehicles…
DetailsGippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called on the Health Minister to fix the failing Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) payment reimbursements. “While our health system is in crisis, one element the government can fix quickly is VPTAS, which covers some of the travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural Victorians when they…
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Regional Victorians are facing unprecedented energy price increases as a result of the mismanagement of the Andrews Labor Government. The Victorian Essential Services Commission has released is Victorian Default Offer 2023-24 Draft Decision, which confirms shock electricity bill increases of 31.1 per cent for households and 33.2 per cent for small businesses. For an average Victorian…
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The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the Victorian Inquiry into duck hunting is stacked against recreational hunters. The Andrews Government has established a committee of nine upper house MP’s to inquire into Victoria’s recreational native bird hunting arrangements. Ms Bath who opposed the Inquiry said it is nothing more than a…
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