Five reasons why regional Victoria needs a better deal

The Nationals leader Peter Walsh has released his wish list for 2021; and there is a strong focus on getting regional Victoria a better deal. Mr Walsh said the pandemic has been a glaring example of how little the capital city-based powerbrokers truly don’t get regional life in general and cross border communities in particular.…

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2020 is gone but will never be forgotten

Our year is ending with another reminder the trials of 2020 and the pandemic are not going away any time soon. Even as I was writing this; governments in Victoria, NSW and South Australia were rolling out new restrictions, from a hard border between SA and NSW to Victoria going back to mandatory masks. Sadly…

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New Agriculture Minister will have a full plate over summer

Our farmers and food manufacturers will be working hard through Christmas to make sure there’s food on Victorian tables and barbecues and the new Agriculture Minister should be hitting the ground running as well. A lack of leadership on key challenges affecting our farmers and regional communities has seen the problems getting worse. Mary-Anne Thomas…

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Toothless Ag Min still ignoring farmers, industry

Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes struggled to answer basic questions on critical issues affecting Victorian farmers at Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings today. The Minister was grilled for answers on why our farmers still can’t get seasonal workers on-farm and on the Andrews Labor Government’s policy to ban Victoria’s native timber industry by 2030.…

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Gannawarra childcare centre gets $600,000 for kindy says Walsh

THE Nationals Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has congratulated Gannawarra Shire on its funding to expand its children’s care centre to meet increasing demand and preparation for a funded three-year-old kindergarten. Mr Walsh said the expansion will allow not only maintain the centre’s long day care places it will ensure its overall viability once…

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Federal investment gets Murray Basin Rail Project back on track

A more than $200 million Commonwealth rescue package will revive the Murray Basin Rail Project after it was derailed by the Andrews Labor Government. The Federal Liberal and Nationals investment, announced today, includes $195.2 million to fix the mess left by Labor’s Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan, with a further $5 million for planning for…

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Symes can’t duck hunters’ rights says Walsh

THE Andrews Labor Government has refused to oppose a push by an extreme anti-hunting group to ban duck shooting, raising questions on whether there will be a season in 2021. The Coalition Against Duck Shooting is running a negative campaign to discredit Victoria’s law-abiding, legitimate hunters. Asked in State Parliament this week to stand up…

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New funding to help RSL deliver services and support

THE Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, is urging local RSL sub-branches to apply for their share of funding under three Victorian Government grant programs. Mr Walsh said external funding would be crucial for many sub-branches this year after COVID-19 restrictions seriously impacted traditional revenue opportunities such as Anzac Day and Remembrance…

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Walsh says The Nationals will rescue CFA independence

THE Nationals Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, said the appointment of Jack Rush QC as chairman of the party’s CFA advisory committee confirms it is determined to rebuild the volunteer firefighting force. Mr Walsh said few people understand the issue better than Mr Rush, who was counsel assisting the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. He…

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