The Allan Labor Government will this year cut budgets for the state’s emergency services, despite introducing a tax it promised would deliver them more funding. Labor’s own budget papers show significant funding reductions across key emergency agencies, including those the government used to justify introducing its Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, which came into effect…
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…
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…
The relief package for drought-hit farmers announced today by the Allan Labor Government is a sad case of too little, too late. It is no more than a starting point and has come far too slowly, given farmers in the state’s south-west have been battling the big dry for two years. After so much hardship,…
Labor’s panicked rush to roll-out wind and solar farms across 70 per cent of Victoria’s agricultural land has escalated into completely unfair and dangerous territory, with Labor making laws that allow government employees free rein to enter private land without permission of landowners. Under a new Bill introduced to Parliament by Labor, landholders who prioritise…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
