The Liberals and Nationals have today introduced a private members bill in the Victorian Parliament to protect the state’s most strategic agricultural land from being permanently lost to poorly considered development. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy said the Planning and Environment Amendment (Agricultural Land and Food Security) Bill 2026 would ensure agriculture is finally…
The Carroll Labor Government’s H5 vaccination plan has prioritised tourism over wildlife and food production, focusing only on penguins at two tourist attractions. Today’s announcement that 5000 penguins will be vaccinated covers only the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and the St Kilda Penguin Colony, both major tourism drawcards. The announcement completely ignores poultry and threatened…
The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, is encouraging the community to be aware of the signs of H5 bird flu after a case was detected in Hamilton. The case is one of 60 confirmed in Victoria in the past two weeks among wild birds, but the virus can affect any bird species. Ms Kealy,…
Serious questions have been raised of the Carroll Labor Government after series of revelations that it is failing key aspects of Mental Health reform. Among the issues to come to light this week include: Revelations a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report was altered to appear flattering to the government. The new Parkville Youth Mental…
A Liberal and Nationals Government will get Victoria’s mental health reforms back on track, despite the Carroll Labor Government’s decision to bundle the Mental Health portfolio with Health. Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said the government’s decision to put the portfolios together under the same umbrella created a real risk that mental health…
A Liberals and Nationals Government will restore effective wild dog control and give farmers the tools they need to protect their livestock and livelihoods. Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy said farmers deserved practical, evidence-based wild dog management that recognised the realities of farming alongside public land. “Farmers should…
The Victorian Labor Government should not force Horsham Rural City Council to choose between bushfire recovery and its fair share of funding for other important community infrastructure. The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has backed Horsham Rural City Mayor Brian Klowss in calling for the government to ensure funding provided to rebuild community assets…
One of Ben Carroll’s first acts as Premier has been to fine farmers for protecting their own land, livestock and livelihoods. Twelve farmers opposing VNI West have reportedly been issued $814 fines for refusing VicGrid access to their properties. Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said it was a cruel…
The Carroll Labor Government must urgently explain communication failures that hampered emergency responses during the past summer’s devastating bushfires and guarantee the issues are fixed before the upcoming fire season. New reports have revealed critical digital mapping and communication systems failed firefighters during a bushfire that impacted Streatham, Carranballac and Skipton in January, raising serious…
Victoria’s New Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes needs to address the proposed application for the Avonbank mineral sands mine as a matter of top priority. Shadow Minister for Agriculture and the Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said the application carried serious concerns over water security, the integrity of the Environmental Effects Statement,…
