The Andrews Labor Government has confirmed VLine CEO James Pinder has been suspended today as a result of an anti-corruption investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). Former Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan announced Mr Pinder’s appointment in October 2016. While it is inappropriate to comment on the ongoing IBAC investigation, this is not…
We have been receiving a lot of calls and questions to the office regarding the NSW border closure. It light of this we decided to put together the following information explaining border definitions and restrictions that relate to the different regions. I hope you find the following information is useful Please Note: We have…
Victorian farmers who own land in NSW, shearers, harvest contractors and beekeepers will be able to move into NSW without having to quarantine or go via Sydney under a new permit announced today. The NSW Government has announced a ‘Highly Specialised Agriculture Permit’ which will allow exempted Victorian agriculture workers who live within 100km of…
Thursday 13 August 2020 Victorian farmers and harvest contractors fear strict border closures will cripple the nation’s harvest this year, unless special agriculture permits are offered to allow interstate travel. Strict border closures along Victoria’s borders with New South Wales and South Australia are fuelling fears of cost increases and food shortages if supply…
Dear Editor, Jobs and businesses in Victoria’s $7.32 billion timber industry are being destroyed by a campaign of misinformation that’s not based on fact. There’s growing evidence in support of the sector’s responsible, sustainable reputation. This includes a recent study from University of Melbourne researchers that found bushfire – not timber harvesting – is the…
This Saturday marks Victory in the Pacific day and the official end to World War II. Recognising the 75th anniversary of this momentous event in Australian and world history is important; and will be made much harder in 2020 because of the pandemic. But that does not alter the fact that we are all able…
Union politics is jeopardising food security at a time of crisis. The horticulture sector fears a union call to end the Working Holiday Maker Visa will push up the price of fruit and vegetables at a time when our communities need a reliable, affordable supply of fresh food. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said…
Dear Editor, A decision by the Federal Liberal Nationals Government to extend the JobKeeper scheme for a further six months will be welcomed by country Victorian businesses that are relying on the payments to keep local people in work. Restrictions in place to stop the spread of coronavirus are there to save lives, but they’ve…
On Sunday 2nd August, the Premier made some very significant announcements regarding restrictions across Victoria. Metropolitan Melbourne is now under Stage 4 restrictions and Regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire) will return to Stage 3 restrictions from Thursday. Here’s the latest: STAGE 3 STAY AT HOME RESTRICTIONS From 11.59pm Wednesday 5th August regional Victoria will return to…
Regional Victoria is reluctantly re-entering Stage 3 COVID restrictions this week. Like all Victorians, we have done our bit to stop the spread of coronavirus, to save lives and to protect the future of our country businesses and communities. We feel utterly let down by the Andrews Labor Government. Main streets of our country towns…