Civil contractors working in forestry management are shrouded in uncertainty after the Andrews Government said it would transition displaced native timber workers into the industry. Forestry management contractors have for decades been performing work for the state government to construct firebreaks, maintain bush access roads, remove dangerous trees in water catchments and undertake bushfire mitigation…
Details“The Andrews Government has failed Victorians by failing to close loopholes in the Timber Code of Practice wiping out a billion dollar industry that employed thousands of Victorians. A change to the Timber Code of Practice would have allowed Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry to continue without the constant threat of green lawfare. …
DetailsDear Editor, Victorians cannot afford life under Labor and it only gets worse from July 1. Since 2014, Premier Daniel Andrews and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan have hit Victorians with 49 new or increased taxes. In the new financial year, they will continue to slam you with more increases. The cost of…
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The Nationals are calling for significant financial investment in agriculture education to inspire students to pursue a career in the industry. Speaking in State Parliament, The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Melina Bath said Victoria needs a targeted funding program to increase participation in secondary schools agriculture curriculum.…
DetailsThe collapse of another Victorian building company has resulted in eastern Victorian families caught up in an insurance backlog plaguing the Victorian Managed Insurance Agency (VMIA). Raising the issue in state parliament, The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath called on the Andrews Government to conduct an urgent review into the VMIA and…
DetailsPremier Daniel Andrews’ claim that the State Electricity Commission (SEC) would “replace offshore profits with offshore wind” has come under fire as it was revealed that the re-launched SEC will be open to foreign co-investment. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said the failure to preclude foreign companies from co-investing was government…
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The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has called on Labor’s Minister for Agriculture, Gayle Tierney to meet with a local timber delegation that includes workers, families, contractors, and small businesses in state parliament today. The request was made following Minister D’Ambrosio back gate exit and snub of workers, families and contractors that…
DetailsElder Abuse Awareness Day has turned sour for prevention workers and the elderly receiving their much-needed support. A parliamentary inquiry hearing on the day workers should be celebrated revealed the Andrews Labor Government has cut funding to a critical program in the sector, meaning it will finish within weeks. The state-funded Integrated Model…
DetailsThe Parliamentary Inquiry into rental and housing crisis in Victoria is under way, with public submissions open until early July said Nationals MP, Melina Bath. Ms Bath said the issue of rental and housing affordability continues to grow across eastern Victoria. “I have spoken with individuals, relief agencies, local councils and property agents, and the…
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The Andrews Government can no longer ignore the need for more police resources in the Valley, with the latest data revealing Latrobe has the highest crime rate of any local government area in regional Victoria. For the year to March 31, there were 10,319 criminal incidents per 100,000 population recorded in Latrobe – more…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government has placed funding for responsible gambling programs on the chopping block, refusing to guarantee them beyond next year. In a Public Accounts and Estimates hearings today, the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, refused to guarantee funding beyond 2023/24 for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF). …
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government today again turned its back on the native timber industry, refusing to meet workers set to lose their jobs. Lily D’Ambrosio, Labor’s Minister for Climate Change, avoided an audience with affected workers in the Latrobe Valley, instead slipping out a back gate and returning to Melbourne. Attending a ribbon-cutting…
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