Cost-shifting inquiry launched: Residents and councils urged to participate

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government funding and services has commenced, with local governments and members of the community urged to participate.   Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Walsh, highlighted potential issues of cost-shifting, ranging from waste collection to the maintenance of road networks.   “The commencement of this inquiry marks an essential step…

Con Games leaves Victorians paying the price

Regional Victorians will today feel deflated and cheated by confirmation the Commonwealth Games debacle will cost Victoria almost $600 million.   A scathing Victorian Auditor-General report has revealed the total cost of the cancelled Games is more than $589 million.   As if that is not bad enough, the Labor Government was also scolded in…

LETTER TO THE EDITOR – RE: Roads

Dear Editor,   Revelations of 480 road sites across regional Victoria being labelled “under pavement in poor condition”, resulting in speed reductions, are deeply concerning.   Yet the Allan Labor Government refuses to address this issue, slashing 45 per cent from the road maintenance budget since 2020.   Which spin and lie has been used…

Labor’s cruel silence on VicForests shutdown

VicForests, the Allan Labor Government’s own forestry agency, is being treated deplorably as it braces for a June 30 shutdown. The government has gagged VicForests amid unfair criticism and has not offered a single positive word, effectively ignoring its existence. Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals, said it seemed the government was intent on wiping…