Any plans to expand criteria for priority testing for COVID-19 must include Victoria’s agriculture workforce. The Premier told Victorians today that “with such a substantial reduction in the tests we have to do on returned travellers, we have the potential to increase testing in other settings”. Currently, even a suspected case of coronavirus will put…
DetailsMember for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is calling for the Federal Government’s $1500-a-fortnight JobKeeper payments to be exempt from Victoria’s payroll tax. The unprecedented package from the Federal Government is a boost for the small businesses and workers most hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Mr Walsh said without changes to existing Victorian law,…
DetailsThe Andrews Government must reverse its unexpected decision to close the Victorian Pig Services Centre (VPSC) – the industry’s frontline defence against devastating disease outbreaks. The Victorian Government blindsided our pork producers with the sudden closure of the Bendigo Centre on March 27 – without consultation with producers, the Victorian Farmers Federation or the national…
DetailsA Joint House Committee of the Victorian Parliament should be established to ensure oversight on Victoria’s response to COVID-19 while parliamentary sittings are on indefinite hold. To save lives we will need to continue to take unprecedented action to combat the spread of COVID-19. But, like all government initiatives, these decisions should not be taken…
DetailsFood supply chain businesses will be relieved the State Government has finally come out to confirm our agriculture sector is an essential service. Farmers, food processors and businesses critical to making sure our supermarket shelves remain fully stocked have been desperate for clarification since Stage 1 restrictions to combat COVID-19 were announced more than a…
DetailsMember for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is encouraging community members to look after their mental health and take the time to check in with loved ones and neighbours as work continues to combat the spread of COVID-19. Mr Walsh said there were measures we could all take to ensure our own wellbeing as our community…
DetailsThere have been further updates that you should know about Sunday night’s meeting of the National Cabinet. The announcements included further social gathering restrictions, a new app with all the latest information and advice for those over the age of 70. The Victorian Premier also triggered Stage 3 restrictions yesterday, which came into effect last…
DetailsLeader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has called on the Andrews Government to prioritise local people in the making of emergency care packs to assist those isolating as a result of COVID-19. Mr Walsh is also calling for an expansion of the care packs which are presently only being distributed…
DetailsThe Liberal Nationals are calling on the Andrews Government to explain why it’s billing bushfire-affected farmers for the GST paid on government subsidies that funded the replacement of fencing destroyed in fires in East Gippsland and north-east Victoria. Bushfire-affected farmers could access a subsidy of up to $75,000 from the Department of Environment, Land, Water…
DetailsLeader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is calling on the Victorian Government to deliver land tax credits for property owners who provide rent relief to tenants affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Mr Walsh said landlords who do the right thing and lower the rent for both commercial and residential tenants affected…
DetailsTuesday night the Prime Minister announced the country would now move to Stage 2 restrictions. This has been followed by the Premier saying yesterday that stage 3 restrictions will be necessary for Victoria and are not far away, although we don’t yet know what this will include. What are the new restrictions? STAGE 2 RESTRICTIONS …
DetailsFarmers and businesses in the food supply chain are anxious for guarantees that food production and supply will not be restricted under measures imposed to stop the spread of coronavirus. The Federal Government has confirmed agriculture is an essential service, but it’s up to each State Government to deliver the detail of what this looks…
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