A pet census and a destructive plan to shut down the native timber industry are the biggest ticket items for agriculture in a Labor State Budget that’s a cruel disappointment for Victorian farmers. Analysis of the 2022-23 State Budget papers also revealed further cuts to the agriculture budget that will gut services even more. And…
The hypocrisy of State Labor’s cuts to agriculture jobs has been exposed with figures today that the number of spin doctors in the Premier’s personal office nearly outstrips resourcing for Victorian farmers. The Labor Government cut a further 109 jobs from Agriculture Victoria in recent months, from the pool of about 1100 to 1200 staff…
The Liberals and Nationals have launched a positive campaign to fill workforce shortages and bring thousands of skilled workers to regional Victoria. Victoria has requested just 750 skilled worker visas from the Commonwealth Government this year, compared to a massive 3640 in New South Wales. Victoria’s ask makes up just six per cent of the…
The Andrews Labor Government is forcing more costs onto Melburnians by ordering desal water when it is not needed. A 15GL water order will be placed in 2022-23 at a cost of $11 million, which the Government has misleadingly claimed won’t be passed on to Melbourne water customers. Shadow Minister for Water Steph Ryan said…
The Euroa electorate is set to become ground zero for the Andrews Government’s unpopular changes to riverfront camping. Member for Euroa and Nationals deputy leader Steph Ryan said Labor had announced sites along the Goulburn in Seymour, Tallarook and Murchison were open to camping from today. The Andrews Government has also stated it plans to…
Workers, families and communities whose livelihoods rely on Victoria’s $7.3 billion native timber industry are demanding the truth on the State Labor Government’s 2030 ban. Serious questions are being asked of the State Government, after Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes recently foreshadowed Labor won’t comply with a parliamentary request to produce scientific evidence on the ban because…
The Greens, Labor and Independents have joined forces in the Legislative Council to defeat amendments from the Liberals and Nationals that would have given the Native Timber Industry more protection from illegal protestors and green lawfare. Victoria is already seeing the closure of sawmills due to a lack of timber and this legislation does…
Legislation for on-the-spot fines for farm trespass has finally passed state parliament after two years of delay by the Andrews Government. Amendments to double the maximum fine for illegal farm invasion and close a loophole on licensed river frontages have been blocked by Labor, the Greens and Independent MPs. The Nationals proposed two amendments to…
Amendments to double the maximum fine for illegal farm invasion have been blocked in Victorian Parliament by Labor, Greens and Independent MPs. The Liberals and Nationals proposed two amendments to the Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 to double the maximum fine for individuals in line with New South Wales’ hefty penalty scheme –…
Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy is eager to see whether the Independent MP’s in Parliament’s Upper House vote in favour for greater protection for our Victorian farmers through harsher on the spot fines. Mr McCurdy said, “In Parliament earlier this year I called for tougher penalties to be imposed against animal activities…
Independent MPs in Parliament’s Upper House are being urged to be the deciding vote that will see better farm trespass protections for Victorian farmers become law. Legislation for on-the-spot fines for farm trespass have finally been introduced to the upper house of state parliament after years of delays. Amendments moved by The Nationals Member for…
Amendments to strengthen the consequences for law-breaking activists caught trespassing on Victorian farms will be moved in Victorian Parliament today by the Liberals and Nationals. It’s expected the Bill to establish on-the-spot fines for farm trespass will be brought on for debate in the Legislative Council later today. The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina…