Country Fire Authority under threat in Murray Plains

Friday 3 June 2016 The Andrews Government green-lighting a takeover of the CFA by the United Firefighters Union is a complete betrayal of the brave volunteers that protect the Murray Plains electorate. A UFU takeover of the CFA would prevent volunteers from fighting fires without professional firefighters in attendance and lead to tens of thousands…

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Control of CFA a step closer to union hands

Wednesday 1 June 2016 Daniel Andrews’ decision to back demands from the United Firefighters Union (UFU) puts in jeopardy Australia’s largest volunteer organisation Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said. The Premier’s support of the UFU’s bid to take over the Country Fire Authority (CFA) confirms Daniel Andrews puts the demands of his union mates before…

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Transport plan no comfort for regional Victorians

Monday 30 May 2016 A long-term strategy for regional public transport released by the Andrews Labor Government today fails to relieve the misery of regional Victorians still trying to navigate a disruptive and unreliable transport network. “Rehashed funding promises and undefined long-term strategies will not fix the crisis facing V/Line services “ Leader of The…

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Direct relief next step for Victoria’s dairy farmers

Tuesday 24 May 2016  The following comments are from Peter Walsh Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture in response to today’s announcement of further support for Victoria’s dairy industry. “Dairy farmers will appreciate the extra support services for their industry and we encourage Government to roll out the programs without delay. “The…

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Support for Victoria’s Dairy Farmers

20 May 2016  Comments from Peter Walsh Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture: “This is a good first step for the State Government to support our dairy farmers and their families. “The next step will be to provide relief that eases the cash flow crunch for our dairy businesses. “Farmers have raised…

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Money For Clubs to Boost Safety At Their Facility

19 May 2016 Local clubs and organisations are encouraged to apply for up to $10 000 of funding to improve security at their clubrooms or facility. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the Community Safety Fund provided groups and sporting clubs with money to install safety equipment such as…

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Labor Shamed into Show Grants Backflip

16 May 2016 Victoria’s show societies will get a 2015-16 grants round after all thanks to the Liberal-Nationals Coalition. Show societies had told local Nationals and Liberal MPs that the 2015-16 round of Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants had not opened as scheduled last year. With the financial year’s end just weeks away show societies…

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Labor’s $36m cut to agriculture budget confirmed

Friday 13 May 2016 It was confirmed today that the Andrews Labor Government has cut agriculture funding by more than $36 million since coming to office. When questioned by the Liberal-Nationals at a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing this morning Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford was forced to admit she had cut the agriculture output…

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Walsh Fights for CFA Volunteers

6 May 2016 Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has come out fighting in parliament this week for the rights of the Country Fire Authority volunteers. Mr Walsh said that every inquiry into firefighting in Victoria including the 1939 Bushfire Royal Commission and the 2009 Black Saturday Royal Commission has…

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Water Act changes first step towards fairer Basin Plan

Thursday 5 May 2016 Leader of The Nationals and Coalition Shadow Minister for Water Peter Walsh has welcomed the passing of amendments to the Commonwealth Water Act. “On behalf of Victorian irrigators who called for these amendments I extend our thanks to Barnaby Joyce for getting this important Bill dealt with before the Federal election…

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State Budget – Agriculture spending

Thursday 5 May 2016 As the dust settles it is now clear the Andrews Labor Government failed to invest in agriculture in this year’s State Budget. In fact the Agriculture budget has quietly dropped more than $36 million since Labor took office in 2014. Treasurer Tim Pallas is boasting that his high-taxing Budget means he…

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