Labor has no answers as regional funding drys up

The Allan Labor Government has abandoned the needs of regional Victoria, doing nothing to explain an alarming disparity in spending in city and country areas.   Under heavy questioning at a Public Accounts and Estimate Committee hearing on Regional Development Victoria, Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, failed to provide genuine answers on the worrying…

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Letter to the Editor – RE: Roads

Dear Editor,   The Allan Labor Government remains delusional about the state of our crumbling roads.   Treasurer Tim Pallas has his head in the sand as potholes and go-slow zones continue to wreak havoc in regional Victoria.   Rightly so, roads were a hot topic as Mr Pallas fronted a Public Accounts and Estimates…

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Cost-of-living ignored as regional hits keep coming

The Allan Labor Government’s State Budget has disregarded the cost-of-living crisis, delivering a brutal reality for hardworking regional Victorians.   Households will be hit by dramatic hikes in both the fire services and waste levies, while funding for roads and agriculture continues to significantly lag behind past levels.   Our crumbling roads are getting worse,…

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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…

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Future of flood-ravaged Rochester Pool hangs in the balance

As communities across the region continue to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating October 2022 floods, the future of the Rochester swimming pool remains uncertain.   During a special sitting of the Legislative Council in Echuca, Nationals Member for Northern Victoria, Gaelle Broad, pressed Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, on the urgent matter…

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Labor must focus on closing gap as recommendations remain in limbo

The Liberals and Nationals today note the government’s response to the Yoorrook Justice System’s second interim report.   Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Peter Walsh, said the focus should be on closing the gap and improving education and housing outcomes for Indigenous families.   Mr Walsh said the Allan Labor Government needs to prioritise action…

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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…

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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…

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