Upskilling opportunity for region’s young farmers

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, is encouraging young farmers to apply for support through the 2025 Young Farmer Upskill and Invest Scholarship. The program provides scholarships of up to $10,000 for early-career farmers aged 18 to 40, with up to $5000 available for education or training, and an additional $5000 to invest directly…

Emma Kealy MP

Statement from Emma Kealy MP

This has been an incredibly difficult and distressing week for many Victorians, especially in our local and Indigenous communities. The news surrounding the conviction of a respected community member has come as a deep shock. We acknowledge that many people will be feeling hurt, confused, and betrayed. In moments like this, it’s more important than…

Labor must fix Victoria’s broken patient transport system

The Nationals have renewed calls for urgent reform to Victoria’s non-emergency patient transport system and the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS), warning the current setup is failing regional patients. Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Emma Kealy, said changes to eligibility criteria and long-standing issues with the VPTAS program were preventing…

Have your say on reducing Victoria’s minimum driving age

Lowan residents can have their say on reducing Victoria’s minimum probationary driver’s licence age through a parliamentary petition. The petition calls on the Allan Labor Government to reduce the licence age from 18 to 17, in line with every other Australian state. Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy said lowering…

Chance for country football and netball clubs to benefit

Football and netball clubs across the Lowan electorate have until next month to submit applications for funding to improve their facilities through the state government’s Country Football and Netball Program. Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy, said the program was open to all football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring…

Statement from the Shadow Minister for Agriculture

As drought continues to spread across Victoria, I am hearing from an increasing number of producers who are managing the demands of livestock, farm finances, household costs, the wellbeing of their families and their own mental health. Ahead of the Drought Response Taskforce’s first meeting tomorrow, I am calling for it to urgently consider: Access…

Letter to the editor – drought

It’s hard not to be moved by the devastating stories told by farmers grappling with one of the driest years on record. There’s no feed, no water, and disappointingly, none of the much needed on-ground support farmers need to help relieve the pressure of mounting bills. It’s having a flow-on effect on us all, taking…

City-centric Labor must urgently boost lame drought support

The Allan Labor Government must urgently increase its support for Victorian farmers battling drought. Labor has committed to a completely inadequate support package worth about a third of what the South Australian government has offered. Farmers are in deep crisis – no water, no food, dwindling cash reserves and increasing debt – and the city-centric…