Labor forced to back down on regional newspaper attack

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The Andrews Labor Government has backtracked on its plan to take revenue from regional newspapers after strenuous opposition from the Nationals and the community. Labor’s Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021, introduced in Parliament earlier in February, sought to remove a requirement for the state government and local councils to communicate changes and consultation opportunities…

Tougher penalties needed for farm trespass

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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy says it is crucial that farmers are protected against illegal and traumatic farm trespass crime. In Parliament last week, Ms Kealy and her National Party colleagues backed the Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 which will introduce new penalties for farm trespass but said it doesn’t go far enough.…

Minister rejects disaster declaration request

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Nationals Member for Lowan is angry that the Andrews Labor Government has rejected a request from West Wimmera Shire Council to declare the recent fires at Poolaijelo and Langkoop a disaster. The communities were devastated by a quick-spreading grass fire on New Year’s Eve that killed thousands of sheep and cattle, dozens of farm outbuildings,…

Labor must be stopped from destroying regional media

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has condemned a move by the Andrews Labor Government which will suck a significant slice of revenue out of the pockets of regional newspapers. The Nationals are strenuously opposing the Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021, which will allow more than 400 requirements in Victoria to potentially be…

Extension to $250 power grant a bonus

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More households across the Lowan electorate will have an opportunity to apply for the $250 Power Savings Bonus payment after the program was extended by five months. The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the extension to June 30 meant thousands more households in regional and rural Victoria would now be able to apply…

Letter to the editor – Back to school

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There is a lot of excitement in the air as students across our electorate prepare to start the school year next week. Connecting with classmates, meeting new teachers, being challenged with engaging learning opportunities, and enjoying extracurricular endeavours such as school sporting events and camps are just some of the amazing things our young people…

RAT shortage should ease soon

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The chronic shortage of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for Coronavirus is expected to ease in the coming weeks, but the Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy says the Andrews Labor Government must take responsibility for the shortage. In August the Health Minister, Martin Foley said “If you want to stake the welfare of Victorians on…

Labor snubs support for Lowan children

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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has lashed the Andrews Labor Government for ignoring rural and regional western Victoria communities with its plans for pop-up COVID vaccination clinics in schools. The government announced this week it would establish 30 clinics at primary schools across the state for families seeking a COVID vaccination for children aged 5…

Local schools cut from Advance program funding

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The Andrews Labor Government has removed the Edenhope, Balmoral K-12 and Goroke P-12 Colleges from the list of schools to receive Advance program funding in 2022. All three Colleges have been successfully conducting the program, with Edenhope running it for the past 16 years. The Advance program provides Victorian secondary school students with an opportunity…