Regional communities have been hit hard by drought, bushfire and now the coronavirus pandemic. Travel bans put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 meant visitation to country Victoria was smashed overnight. If we do not take bold steps now to restore Victoria’s tourism sector, our regional tourism businesses – which employ an estimated…
Brumby populations must be managed appropriately in Victoria. Brumbies are an iconic part of Victoria’s cultural heritage and High Country identity and their population numbers need to be managed sustainably. The Government must have appropriate, ethical management measures in place to protect our natural environment. Mustering and rehoming must be the priority in any government…
On May 11, the Victorian Government announced changes to COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the State of Emergency in Victoria until May 31 with the following changes which I have endeavoured to summarise for you below. These changes come into effect on Wednesday May 13. The Stay at Home rules remain…
Thousands of Victorians have added their name to a petition demanding the Andrews Government reconsider its politically-motivated ban on recreational sales of firearms and ammunition. On March 31, thousands of legitimate, law-abiding recreational hunters in Victoria were told they would be prevented from purchasing from retail outlets as part of COVID-19 restrictions. The petition, supported…
Dear Editor, Victoria’s blanket bans on solo recreational activities have never made sense. While we can get out for a socially distant walk along the river with a friend or to play basketball outdoors, solo pursuits like fishing, hunting, golf, prospecting and horse riding are off the menu. It’s particularly frustrating when you consider other…
Community pressure, with support from The Nationals, has forced the Andrews Labor Government to exclude JobKeeper payments from Victorian payroll tax and WorkCover premiums. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said it never should have been on the table for the State Government to try and tax Federal JobKeeper payments.…
Pressure from The Nationals has forced the Andrews Labor Government to back down on its decision to exclude entire sectors of small business from COVID-19 support. This Fund promised $10,000 grants to Victorian small businesses below the payroll tax threshold which suffered severe financial damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leader of The Nationals and…
Bans in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 must be common sense. Victorians who live in country communities are rightly frustrated with the Andrews Labor Government’s decision to put a blanket ban on all recreational fishing and hunting – even for those who live nearby rivers, lakes, forests and wetlands. Leader of The Nationals…
The Federal Government’s new COVIDSafe smartphone application is a critical step forward to save lives and better protect our community against the spread of coronavirus. COVIDSafe will provide accurate information that will speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus. Participation is voluntary. Leader of…
Students in the Murray Plains electorate must be allowed to get back into the classroom, in line with expert medical advice that says our schools are safe. The Andrews Labor Government is refusing to listen to advice from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) endorsing a return to school…
