Frustration continues to build across regional Victoria as the Allan Labor Government pushes ahead with its Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) plans, dismissing the concerns of those who live and work in the areas most affected. The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said the Minister for Energy and Resources’ recent response to landholder feedback has…
DetailsThe Allan Labor Government has once again shown its complete disregard for rural and regional communities, with its roads minister seemingly in denial about the state of the Western Highway. The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has made countless representations to the government regarding safety concerns with the highway, including community requests to lower…
DetailsFederal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he has been assured that AKD Yarram Sawmill workers will receive their full entitlements and additional assistance to manage yesterday’s shock announcement of major job losses. Mr Chester said he had met with a senior executive to push the case for the 73 workers and their families. “During…
DetailsDear Editor, I was delighted to see journalists from across Northern Victoria celebrated in this year’s Rural Press Club of Victoria Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards. Quality journalism is vital to a healthy democracy, especially in regional communities. Accurate, independent reporting helps people make informed decisions, holds governments to account, and ensures local…
DetailsLabor’s cuts to inspections, compliance and Fisheries Officers have left Victoria’s waterways vulnerable to poaching, criminal activity and environmental degradation. The Victoria Fisheries Authority’s annual report reveals that the Allan Government scaled back inspections and compliance prior to cutting Fisheries Officer positions in May. In 2024/25, recreational angler licences and catch limit inspections fell by…
DetailsLabor’s cuts to inspections, compliance and Fisheries Officers have left Victoria’s waterways vulnerable to poaching, criminal activity and environmental degradation. The Victoria Fisheries Authority’s annual report reveals that the Allan Government scaled back inspections and compliance prior to cutting Fisheries Officer positions in May. In 2024/25, recreational angler licences and catch limit inspections fell by…
DetailsThe tabling of annual reports in state parliament has shown seven of Gippsland’s public hospitals are operating in deficit, raising further questions on the Allan Labor Government’s ability to manage money and regional health care. The Nationals’ Melina Bath said local public hospitals operating in the red is a deeply concerning fiscal trend that has…
DetailsVictorian motorists are facing worsening road conditions even as major road contractors are forced to offload workers and close depots across the state. Boral has this week announced redundancies within its roadworks division, the closure of depots at North Geelong and Lysterfield, and the mothballing of sites in Bendigo and Geelong, citing “poor market…
DetailsThe parliamentary inquiry into wildlife roadstrike in Victoria has been tabled in Parliament this week. The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said the inquiry was timely as wildlife roadstrike is a huge issue in regional Victoria. “We know that there have been over 10,000 accidents or collisions, and many, many more are unreported,” Ms…
DetailsThe Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has lashed the Allan Labor Government for blocking attempts by the opposition in state parliament to halt the knife crime crisis in Victoria with the introduction of Jack’s Law. The Coalition has pledged to introduce Jack’s Law if elected next year. Jack’s Law gives police the powers and…
DetailsThe fire season is already upon us and too many Victorians are understandably uneasy in how unprepared our state has become. 350 Forest Fire Management Victoria trucks are still offline, with no clear explanation from the Allan Labor Government on when they’ll be back in service. Worryingly, Victoria is borrowing old, decommissioned trucks…
DetailsVictoria has entered one of its most dangerous fire seasons in years, yet a new report has revealed serious and ongoing staffing shortfalls in the Country Fire Authority. The Fire Services Implementation Monitor’s 2024–25 Annual Report, tabled in Parliament, makes clear that chronic vacancies and insufficient relief are now entrenched across key operational roles…
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