Local projects miss out, but Government waste skyrockets

Desperately-needed upgrades to local hospitals, schools and community facilities are missing out on funding, while Labor’s metro project cost blowout bill continues to skyrocket. Media reports have revealed Melbourne’s $11 billion Metro Rail Tunnel will cost an extra $3 billion over budget. Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said this money would make a huge…

Details

Statement on Ombudsman’s investigation

The Victorian Ombudsman has today dismissed Labor’s malicious and baseless referral of The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy. The Ombudsman found: “The 2 July 2018 email concerning a purported request to amend invoice dates mischaracterised a request to amend a newspaper subscription to end before writs were issued for the 2018 Victorian state election”.…

Details

Andrews Government must broaden drought support

The Andrews Labor Government can – and must – do more to support our drought-affected farmers. South Australia has announced it will provide immediate financial relief with a 50 per cent rebate on council rates or pastoral lease payments in 2019-20 and 2020-21 for farmers eligible for the Farm Household Allowance. In contrast, the Andrews…

Details

Andrews Government must keep its word on Random House

Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has again pressured the State Government to finalise the sale of Rochester’s iconic, but neglected, Random House. In conversations with Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan last week, the Minister gave assurances that there was just one final round of consultation to be held and, no issues…

Details

Labor ‘considering’ move to ban duck hunting

The Andrews Labor Government has betrayed Victoria’s hunting community, confirming it is “considering” a city Labor MP’s move to ban duck hunting. In Parliament this week, Labor’s Agriculture Minister confirmed “I am considering how as Minister I can respond to that resolution that was passed” at the recent Victorian Labor state conference. The resolution was…

Details

Plantation estate decreasing under Labor

Labor’s Agriculture Minister still can’t answer basic questions on the Andrews Government’s decision to destroy Victoria’s sustainable timber industry. Three weeks after Daniel Andrews dropped the axe on thousands of Victorian timber jobs, today Jaclyn Symes still couldn’t say how many hectares of new plantations will be established. The Minister also failed to explain why…

Details

Nationals’ landmark plan for zero waste to landfill by 2035

The Nationals in government will end household waste going to landfill by 2035 with a bold plan that will also secure new, reliable, clean energy for Victoria. In the largest environmental overhaul in Victoria in decades, the $120 million Zero to Landfill plan will invest in energy-from-waste technology that will use Victoria’s household waste to…

Details

Timber industry plea: Dan, don’t destroy our jobs

Daniel Andrews and his Labor MPs shamefully refused to walk out to the front steps of State Parliament to meet Victorian timber workers today. Timber workers were in Melbourne to rally against the Andrews Government’s senseless native timber ban and send a clear message: “Dan, don’t destroy timber jobs”. The Liberal Nationals have pledged to…

Details

Federal Liberal Nationals investing in regional Victoria

Two big infrastructure projects in Echuca and Gippsland will be finished sooner thanks to the funding boost announced by the Federal Liberal Nationals Government today. Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria Peter Walsh said the Echuca-Moama Bridge project now had an extra $28.7 million from the Commonwealth Government that will enable…

Details

Bushfire risk will worsen with Labor’s native timber ban

Daniel Andrews’ senseless decision to ban Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry will cut thousands of jobs and lessen our state’s ability to fight bushfires. Timber contractors play a vital role in helping emergency services fight bushfire in steep and difficult terrain, voluntarily stopping work to clear access for fire trucks, to build fire breaks and…

Details

Native timber ban about politics, not people

On a second day of intense questioning in State Parliament, Premier Daniel Andrews couldn’t answer allegations that his new VicForests CEO is telling timber workers Labor’s ban is a purely political decision based on ideology. The Andrews Labor Government also would not respond to concerns that the mental health of people in the industry was…

Details