The Andrews Government still has no timeline to finish the Murray Basin Rail Project. In State Parliament today, Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan was asked to detail the Government’s plans to complete the once-in-a-generation freight rail upgrades, but refused to say when – or if – the project will be completed. Stakeholders have lost all…
DetailsHealth partnerships working to create healthier communities across Murray Plains face more uncertainty after the Andrews Government again refused to provide long-term funding. Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs) actively contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and their communities in regional Victoria, but have only been funded to June 2020 while a review is…
DetailsWednesday 16 October 2019 The Andrews Labor Government has teamed up with the Greens and Animal Justice Party to vote against stronger penalties for people trespassing on Victorian farms. Parliament’s Legislative Council today voted on the Crimes Amendment (Trespass) Bill 2019, which set out a new offence of ‘aggravated’ trespass with increased penalties and…
DetailsWednesday 16 October 2019 Regional communities will expect the new Commissioner to be frank and fearless with his advice to the Andrews Government. Labor may have put him on the payroll but at the end of the day it’s taxpayers’ dollars and Mr Tuohey’s job is to stand up for our regional communities. Labor’s…
DetailsMember for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has pushed the Andrews Labor Government to follow through on a commitment to put Rochester’s iconic Random House on the market. Speaking in Victorian Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Walsh asked Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan for confirmation on when the property, currently owned by the Department…
DetailsLeader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains is encouraging grassroots organisations based in the Swan Hill and Gannawarra Shires to apply for grants of up to $150,000 to access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought. Mr Walsh said the Tackling Tough Times Together grant…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government is failing to protect communities, as Victoria records the highest number of criminals in 15 years. Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show a 39.96 per cent increase in the number of offences in Campaspe shire since Daniel Andrews was elected in 2014, from 2,948 to 4,126. Across the State, recorded…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government is failing to protect communities, as Victoria records the highest number of criminals in 15 years. Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show crime is on the rise in Swan Hill and Gannawarra municipalities. In Gannawarra, there’s been a 64.10 per cent increase in the number of offences in since Daniel…
DetailsWednesday 9 October 2019 Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees, which are tasked with helping grow regional communities, have been abandoned for more than 12 months by the Andrews Labor Government. Media reports today confirm Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes has left Victoria’s RDA committees with just one member, the Chair, since October last year. RDAs push forward local priority projects aimed at driving economic growth and community…
DetailsNational Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs from 1 October to 31 October. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is using the opportunity to encourage women in the age group of 50 – 74 to have a screening mammogram. “BreastScreen Victoria statistics show that over 1,500 women in Victoria might have…
DetailsA second Murray River crossing connecting Echuca and Moama is one step closer with a contractor appointed to build the new bridge. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack was in Echuca today to announce McConnell Dowell will carry out stage 3 of the project, including construction of the new bridge which will begin next year. Member…
DetailsWednesday 2 October 2019 Daniel Andrews’ latest drought response is underwhelming and fails to deliver the genuine relief measures farmers have been calling for. Our drought-affected communities are desperate for action from the Premier and it’s disappointing that what he’s turned up with today still falls well short of expectations. Drought, combined with high…
DetailsTuesday 1 October 2019 Changes to the kangaroo pet food program announced today by the Andrews Labor Government risk tangling farmers, professional shooters and pet food processors up in red tape. After five years of delayed extensions and uncertainty under Daniel Andrews, the permanent program, which starts today, will not allow kangaroos controlled with…
DetailsVictoria’s Landcare networks could be forced to lay off their facilitators next year after the Andrews Labor Government failed to fund the positions. The news comes as Landcare marks its 30th anniversary as a national organisation this week. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said The Nationals and Liberals first…
DetailsThe Andrews Labor Government still is not listening to farmers across the Murray Plains electorate and is missing another opportunity to employ dedicated frontline police officers to tackle rural crime. The Andrews Government announced the Farm Crime Co-ordination Unit this week, but despite Labor’s claim it has created 70 new positions, in reality it has…
Details