Energy relief off Labor’s small businesses agenda

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says relief on skyrocketing gas and electricity prices for regional small businesses has been pushed to the backburner by the Andrews Government. Small Business Minister Philip Dalidakis refused to answer questions in Parliament last week on whether his department was doing any work on the impact of…

Labor taxing country people to pay for city transport

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says the Andrews Labor Government is forcing through legislation to introduce a $2 levy on country taxi passengers to pay for their botched scheme to regulate Melbourne Uber and remove taxi licences. The Labor Government has proposed — “All commercial passenger vehicle providers charge a levy equivalent…

Kealy — More bus services to support Grampians tourism

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is frustrated by the Andrews Labor Government’s refusal to commit to improved bus services for the Grampians National Park. “During a parliamentary sitting session late last year I specifically asked the Minister for Public Transport, Hon. Jacinta Allan when a public transport service between Stawell, Halls Gap…

Kealy conducts small business survey

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is surveying businesses across the electorate to gain a greater understanding of local issues and challenges that are important to business owners and operators. “Understanding the views and challenges faced by local businesses is crucial to the future wealth and sustainability of our region,” Ms Kealy said.…

Population growth opportunity for regional areas

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says the Liberal Nationals new Victorian Population Policy Taskforce will look at the best way to balance population growth across Victoria, and give locals a say in how. The taskforce has released a discussion paper ‘Looking Forward — Managing Population Growth for all Victorians’ which looks at…

Business achievement awards showcase Wimmera

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I congratulate the Wimmera Development Association and local businesses on the success of the 2016 Business Achievement Awards. The Awards dinner was an inspiring evening showcasing a large number of local businesses that are thriving and achieving great success. The 2016 Business of the Year, Australian Wildflowers, is an outstanding local business based at Laharum…

Kealy – Financial counselling for small business must continue

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has spoken in Parliament calling for the State Government to provide ongoing funding for small business financial counselling services. The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free support to both farmers and, more recently, small businesses that are experiencing hardship as a result of lower income or increased…

Public holiday pain for country businesses

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says local small businesses and regional communities will again endure the damaging impact of the Andrews Labor Government decision to declare new public holidays, as the AFL Grand Final approaches. Last year the Andrew’s Labor Government announced two new public holidays on Easter Sunday and the day…

Kealy – Fuel price inquiry for regional Victoria

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has confirmed that fuel prices in regional Victoria will be analysed after a Nationals-Liberal Coalition proposal for an inquiry passed Parliament this week. “The Nationals-Liberal Coalition has listened to community concerns and hopes that a Parliamentary Inquiry can lift the lid on high country fuel prices,” Ms…

Call for inquiry into regional fuel pricing

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The Nationals-Liberal Coalition has proposed in Parliament this week to establish an inquiry into fuel prices in regional Victoria. The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP said people from the Lowan Electorate feel like they are being ‘ripped off’ at the pump and there is no question that cost-of-living pressures are taking their toll…