Renewable Inquiry ignores proven technologies, backs narrow focus

The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Renewable Energy has failed to acknowledge the positive contribution that waste-to-energy and hydrogen can make in helping Victoria to achieve its commitment to net-zero by 2050. Today in Victorian Parliament, the Liberals and Nationals released a minority report to address the shortcomings in the Inquiry Committee’s majority report. The Nationals…

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Mental health cuts reduce access for Gippslanders

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says residents across Gippsland will miss out on important mental health services that the Victorian Minister has cruelly labelled as “no longer required”.   Mr O’Brien was commenting after the announcement of the 2022-23 State Budget which includes $60 million in cuts from mental health programs.   Asked to explain the cuts, Mental Health Minister James…

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O’Brien: Public transport for regions must improve

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling for urgent action to improve public transport throughout Gippsland with a particular focus on improving connections for smaller regional towns.   Mr O’Brien said he would be tabling a third petition in Parliament from the Poowong community calling for public transport options between Poowong and Melbourne. The previous petitions…

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Mildura parents, children get less access after mental health cuts

Families in Mildura and north-west Victoria will miss out on extra services addressing the devastating toll of perinatal anxiety and depression, which the Victorian Minister has cruelly labelled as “no longer required”. The 2022-23 State Budget includes $60 million in cuts from mental health programs, with funding discontinued for services addressing perinatal anxiety and depression,…

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“Less funding allocated”: Minister confirms more cuts to regional development

The Andrews Labor Government’s admitted there’s “less funding allocated” to regional development in this year’s State Budget despite many country businesses saying they’re still struggling to recover from the pandemic. The 2022-23 State Budget confirmed Labor will strip more funding from regional development which take the total cuts to $363 million since 2020-21 (from $539.2…

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Minister flags more savage “savings’” on the horizon for agriculture

Victorian farmers face less service delivery after the Agriculture Minister refused to guarantee today the Labor Government won’t make more job cuts at Agriculture Victoria. Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas raised red flags this morning at Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) by confirming the government was still on the warpath for “savings” with staffing…

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