Residents cruelly cut off from receiving a Disaster Relief Payment after their properties were impacted by the Grass Flat fire have finally been recognised. More than a week after the Allan Labor Government announced that applications for support were open to fire-affected residents, the application portal continued to deem Quantong, Vectis and Arapiles communities ineligible.…
DetailsThe Nationals will oppose the Albanese Labor Government’s unfair gun laws which will punish law abiding Australian firearms owners for the actions of Islamic extremists. Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the Australian community can see through the Prime Minister’s attempt to divert attention from the Government’s failure over two…
DetailsNew analysis by Victoria’s independent budget watchdog has confirmed CFA funding has declined each year since 2020-21, directly contradicting repeated claims made by Premier Jacinta Allan. A report released today by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), has confirmed state government grant funding for the CFA has declined from $351.6 million in 2020-21 to $339.5 million…
DetailsOne week on from the catastrophic fires that devastated Harcourt, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has praised the community for an extraordinary response. “It is difficult to put into words just how incredible our volunteers are, along with the overwhelming generosity of the community in the wake of this horrendous fire,” Ms…
DetailsThe shocking state of Victoria’s roads is clear on the Monaro Highway. In the 42 kilometres between Bombala and the Victorian border in NSW, there is just one traffic‑hazard warning sign. But in the 42 kilometres between the border and Cann River in Victoria, there are 37. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said…
DetailsFederal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has praised the dedication and commitment of Latrobe Valley volunteers whose hard work ensures one of the region’s most prestigious sporting events continues to thrive year after year. Mr Chester said the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon International, now in its 33rd year, had become a globally recognised event on…
DetailsDear Editor, Devastating fires still burn across Victoria, putting lives and communities at risk and testing the courage, resilience, and spirit of all those affected. Even as the threat is being downgraded, the destruction left behind, and the lives forever changed, is profound. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family affected by the tragic…
DetailsThree wind projects slated for the Gippsland coast have now collapsed with a fourth placed on ice leaving Labor’s handling of Victoria’s renewable energy transition in tatters. The Nationals’ Melina Bath said the Allan Government’s handling of the state’s energy transition to renewables is shambolic. “Labor’s energy bungling falls on the shoulders of Premier Jacinta…
DetailsThe Longwood fires have been amongst the most devastating in Victoria with widespread loss of stock, many homes and sheds destroyed and tragically the loss of a man’s life. A huge thank you to the communities who have pulled together to help those who have been affected, and to the CFA volunteers who put their…
DetailsThe Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has called on the Allan Labor Government to urgently repair currently closed public housing to provide emergency housing for those who have lost homes in the Grass Flat-Natimuk-Quantong fire. Ms Kealy said there were up to 100 empty government-managed homes in Horsham that were “offline” due to defects…
DetailsThe Nationals’ Melina Bath has criticised the Allan Government for cutting $10 million from Victoria’s State Emergency Service (SES) when demand for emergency response is rising. The SES 2024–25 Annual Report confirms the service is now operating with reduced funding despite recording one of its busiest years on record. Ms Bath said Labor’s cut places…
DetailsIn the darkest and most difficult moments, we see the very best of our community. Over the past week, as residents in Natimuk, Quantong and Streatham have endured tragedy, time and again the collective spirit of our region and the selflessness and bravery of our emergency services volunteers have shone. It is difficult to articulate…
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