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Grants and awards Education | April 05, 2016

Premier must bring cheque book to the Wimmera

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, says Premier Daniel Andrews must bring his cheque book when he visits the Wimmera this week.

“It’s been five months since Daniel Andrews, Jaala Pulford and Lisa Neville visited to announce their drought funding package but communities still haven’t seen a lot of that money hit the ground,” Ms Kealy said.

“Drought support can’t be drip-fed, so instead of just coming to talk, I urge Daniel Andrews to make sure funds out of the drought package really start to flow.”

The Premier plans to visit Longerenong College while he’s in the region, and Ms Kealy said he must use that opportunity to announce vital funds for the college’s Agribusiness Centre.

Longerenong College received $2 million from the State and Federal Liberal-Nationals governments in 2014 to refurbish 108 student rooms, along with six disabled-access rooms.

“Longerenong College now desperately needs additional funding to continue with the next stage of refurbishing their Agribusiness Centre,” Ms Kealy said.

“With the State Budget just weeks away, it would be cruel for Daniel Andrews to visit Longerenong College and not announce any funding commitment.

“Funding the Agribusiness Centre would cement the Wimmera’s reputation as a centre of excellence for agricultural production training and research.”

Ms Kealy said the Andrews Labor Government only provided rural and regional Victoria with 2.9 per cent of infrastructure funding in last year’s budget.

“Western Victoria has received no funding announcements to support our schools, hospitals, police or roads infrastructure,” Ms Kealy said.

“It’s vital that Daniel Andrews, Lisa Neville and Jaala Pulford do more than just talk during their visit this week.”