Regional businesses again pay the price for Labor’s failures

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Regional Victorian families and businesses are suffering the consequences of the Andrews Labor Government’s ongoing mismanagement of Victoria’s hotel quarantine and contact tracing systems. Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy expressed grave concerns about the effect of the current lockdown on regional economies and businesses as many were just starting to get back on their…

Labor’s paltry road works program for Lowan

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is outraged that the Andrews Labor Government only plans to upgrade a miniscule portion of roads in the Lowan electorate in the next six months. Ms Kealy raised the issue in Parliament after the release of the 2020-21 budget papers where the only road nominated in Lowan for…

Labor’s small business grants missing in action

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Countless small businesses still haven’t received desperately-needed COVID-19 grants funding. Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said analysis presented to Victoria’s Parliamentary Accounts and Estimates Committee revealed a lack of accountability or transparency with 14 of the 20 business support programs the Andrews Labor Government established as part of the state’s COVID recovery. She said…

Community safety grants now open

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Community groups and councils are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to $300,000 for local community crime prevention projects. The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said the grants, established by the former National-Liberal Government, help not-for-profit community groups and councils deliver projects that prevent crime, improve safety and strengthen community engagement. There…

Delays leave local farmers exposed to illegal trespass

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Laws to impose on-the-spot fines to better protect Lowan farmers against farm trespass still haven’t been drafted, six months after the Andrews Labor Government finally agreed to the change. A parliamentary inquiry recommended on-the-spot fines be implemented as a solution to stop extreme animal activists breaking into farms, stealing livestock and damaging biosecurity. But more…

Funding available for cemetery trusts

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Local cemetery trusts are being encouraged to apply for Department of Health and Human Services cemetery grants to fund cemetery infrastructure, amenities, maintenance, equipment and training. The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the major objectives of the grants program were to: enhance the delivery of cemetery services across Victoria; support and strengthen the…

Urgent works required on Fyans Creek Road bridge

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has called for a review of signage and an upgrade of the single-lane bridge on Fyans Creek Road near Halls Gap. When approaching the bridge travelling from Halls Gap towards Horsham there are only two small signs warning drivers that they are approaching a single-lane bridge. The first…

Let’s reflect, respect and celebrate this Australia Day

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is urging Lowan residents to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate this Australia Day, despite coronavirus restrictions impacting on some of the usual activities and events across the region. “The Australia Day theme this year — Reflect. Respect. Celebrate — encourages us to take this opportunity to…

Local history grants available now

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Local history groups looking to preserve, record and share their town’s history are being encouraged to apply for Public Record Office Victoria’s Local History Grants Program.   Applications are now open for grants of up to $15,000 to assist local community groups, sports clubs, schools and other organisations that collect and preserve the stories of…

Labor ignores Victorian-SA border communities yet again

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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has slammed the Andrews Labor Government’s refusal to adopt a border bubble arrangement for Victorian-South Australian cross-border communities, forcing residents to apply for a permit if they need to travel into Victoria. The government has a border bubble arrangement in place for Victorian-NSW border communities, meaning residents can freely traverse…