A review of electricity distribution network resilience is underway in the wake of storm-induced outages this year and following calls from The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien. The review, known as The Distribution Business Network Resilience Review commenced in September 2021 and is being undertaken by the Department of Environment, Land, Water…
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Timber workers in East Gippsland and the Central Highlands are devastated with the news the native timber industry is effectively being shut down on the eve of Christmas in Victoria. Today in the Supreme Court, Justice Richards granted an order to stop native timber harvesting in the Central Highlands and East Gippsland. The court order…
DetailsThe Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has substantially increased the number of senior executives in their ranks while cutting vital field staff over the last financial year. Senior DELWLP officials were unable to fully explain a loss of 133 full time equivalent field staff across the financial year when questioned recently…
DetailsA pledge for 350 extra staff in our severely under-resourced mental health workforce shows the Andrews Labor Government has abandoned Victorians struggling in the shadow pandemic. Labor’s lockdowns have seen more Victorians than ever reaching out to mental health services, but a shortage of workers means many people are being told they’ll have to…
DetailsThe Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has labelled the Andrews Government’s latest Forestry Plan announcement a farcical con, saying it’s as useful to workers and industry as a two-legged chair. Last week the Andrews Government announced it would spend $100 million on “opt out packages” and “innovation vouchers” for businesses reliant…
DetailsWe had all hoped that 2021 would be a year of healing, growth and recovery. But under Labor, it’s been more of the same lies, corruption and contempt for Victorians. Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, blasted Labor’s pandemic management of state border closures as “some of the most questionable decisions I have seen in my over…
DetailsNationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy previously spoke in Parliament about the excessive costs imposed by the Victorian Government on regional residents through the new regional swimming pool compliance rules in Victoria. In Parliament Mr McCurdy said, “I was recently contacted by a concerned local community member, who felt that the new swimming…
DetailsAs dwindling timber supply puts a handbrake on home building and makes it harder to transport goods around the nation, the Andrews Labor Government has today announced it will spend more money shutting down Victoria’s sustainable, legitimate native timber industry. Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas will further worsen the timber shortage with today’s pledge of $100…
DetailsGrowers in north-west Victoria have endured another year with a crumbling, inefficient freight rail network, while the Andrews Labor Government refuses to provide $5 million to get the Murray Basin Rail Project back on track. Today marks 12 months of the Andrews Government refusing to co-contribute $5 million for planning, following a $200.2 million fund…
DetailsThe Victorian Liberals and Nationals vehemently oppose a plan from Labor and greens groups to introduce dingoes into state and national parks in Victoria. A parliamentary inquiry into Victorian ecosystems has recommended the Andrews Labor Government trial the reintroduction of dingoes as an apex predator in Victorian parks. The plan has generated significant concern among…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government is consigning Gippsland rail passengers to continued future delays at the same time as its spend-a-thon on city infrastructure reaches epic proportions of waste and mis-management. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien recently called on the Government again to undertake a feasibility study into a dedicated Gippsland line…
DetailsDear Editor, This Christmas will be tough for the 49,000 Victorians who lost their job in October and for small business owners, like those in hospitality and accommodation, that are still desperately struggling to fill staffing rosters. News this week from the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government of a $103 billion rebound in our national…
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