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Daniel Andrews taxing regional Victoria more, but giving lessDaniel Andrews taxing regional Victoria more, but giving less By Portal Admin - 4th May 2017 - Back to News For the third year in a row, Daniel Andrews has arrogantly dished out scraps off the table for the regions.
There is no new capital investments for our country hospitals.
There is no money for new police stations or additional police officers despite the statewide crime crisis.
The Country Roads and Bridges Program still hasn’t been restored despite the appalling state of our country roads.
Too many of our country schools will again miss out on desperately needed upgrade funding.
There’s no cost of living relief for families, despite Daniel Andrews introducing nine new taxes after breaking his election eve promise not to introduce any.
There’s no plan for Victoria’s population, and no plan to help our regional cities and towns grow and realise their full potential.
Farmers will be appalled to see Labor has slashed $32 million out of the Agriculture budget. Fears that Agriculture would be swallowed up within the super department look to be true, as no amount of Labor spin can hide this drop in spending.
The Budget also confirms that despite bragging about a surplus, Daniel Andrews won’t spend a cent of State money on his hoax regional rail announcement and Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester will now be asked to fix Labor’s mess.
In fact, for a Government flush with cash after the sale of the Port of Melbourne lease, the lack of new State-funded initiatives for regional Victoria is massively disappointing.
This Budget is about politics, not people, and yet again Daniel Andrews’ contempt for the country is obvious despite Labor’s tricky spin.
Media contact:
Emma Manser
0437 225 386
emma.manser@opposition.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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Newborough CFA volunteers have moved into a new purpose-built station featuring improved facilities, supporting emergency response as the town grows through the Victorian government's emergency services investment. - Darren Chester quits shadow ministry, vows to keep fighting for Gippsland and regional Australia
Gippsland MP Darren Chester has resigned from the Coalition shadow ministry but says he remains committed to representing Gippslanders and regional Australians in Parliament despite political tensions over legislation proposed. - Martin Cameron says community safety has declined under Labor amid rising crime and 1500 Victoria Police vacancies
Nationals and Liberals pledge 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and restored station hours under Safer Communities Plan, addressing regional crime concerns, vacancies, and policing shortages across Latrobe Valley. - One Gippsland welcomes Federal Budget priorities but says freight and renewable infrastructure investment was missed
One Gippsland welcomes Federal Budget housing, cost-of-living and skills measures, but says lack of freight and renewable energy infrastructure investment overlooks Gippsland’s growth needs and future economic potential. - Baw Baw Shire to gain two new kindergartens located at the Neerim South Primary School and Warragul Regional College opening in 2028
Baw Baw Shire will gain two new kindergartens at Neerim South and Warragul, opening in 2028, easing local demand and supporting families as part of the State’s Best Start reforms. - Omeo celebrates opening of 114 km world-class mountain bike park set to transform regional adventure tourism
Omeo has opened a $10 million, 114-kilometre mountain bike park, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and celebrating new streetscape and flood-recovery works that strengthen the town’s recreation spaces and future growth. - Darren Chester celebrates Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell Facility supporting education and regional workforce development
Darren Chester welcomed Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell facility, celebrating its role in empowering students, supporting vocational education, and strengthening Gippsland’s workforce and regional communities. - Mallacoota Golf Course reopens after bushfire rebuild, marking major community recovery milestone and regional investment success
Mallacoota Golf Course officially reopens after Black Summer bushfires, marking $2 million redevelopment, community recovery, and celebration of volunteers, local investment, and regional sporting facilities in the Mallacoota-Genoa district. - One Gippsland urges new major event to replace MotoGP, boosting tourism and regional economy
One Gippsland urges the 2026 Victorian budget to replace MotoGP with a new major event, boosting tourism, jobs, and economic growth while supporting cultural, nature-based, and renewable energy initiatives. - Danny O'Brien says reduced bonus helps some, but bungled energy policies and digital-only access hurt households
The state's Power Saving Bonus has been cut from $250 to $100 and is now limited to concession card holders, leaving many Gippsland households without relief despite rising energy costs. - Darren Chester honours Gippsland farmers and workers on National Agriculture Day for vital regional contributions
Darren Chester has praised Gippsland’s farmers and agricultural workers on National Agriculture Day, recognising their resilience, vital economic contribution and essential role in sustaining local communities and ensuring ongoing food security. - Tim Bull credited Darren Chester for securing post–Black Summer funding but criticised Labor’s mismanagement delaying the recovery project
Tim Bull has criticised delays to the Mallacoota–Genoa Road upgrade, saying the Victorian government has wasted funding on consultants while failing to deliver long-promised bushfire recovery works. - Darren Chester elected Deputy Leader of the Nationals, pledges stronger representation for regional Australia
Darren Chester has been elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals, pledging to amplify regional voices, hold the government accountable, and deliver stronger, fairer outcomes for Gippsland and regional Australia. - Darren Chester warns Labor-Greens EPBC reforms threaten Gippsland timber industry, jobs, and regional communities
Darren Chester warns Labor-Greens EPBC reforms threaten Gippsland’s native hardwood and plantation timber industry, risking jobs, regional communities, sustainable forest management, and increasing reliance on imported timber products. - East Gippsland seafood assessment explores growth, investment and value-adding opportunities across regional and export markets
East Gippsland Shire Council has commissioned a seafood market assessment to identify growth, value-adding and investment opportunities, supporting long-term sustainability and stronger market outcomes for the regional industry. - Danny O’Brien met residents across nine towns over two days, holding more than 20 discussions on their concerns for the shire
Danny O’Brien met residents across nine Gippsland South towns, discussing cost-of-living pressures, infrastructure, farming challenges, and local priorities, committing to ongoing advocacy and future mobile office visits. - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (Glen Eira Leisure) claim fourth consecutive victory at 2025 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard challenge
Glen Eira Leisure won the 2025 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard Challenge for the fourth consecutive year, excelling in rescue, emergency response, and team-based competitions against 23 Victorian aquatic teams. - Latrobe City Council endorses Economic Development Advisory Committee to drive diverse, regional economic growth
Latrobe City Council will establish an Economic Development Advisory Committee with diverse industry leaders and an independent chair to guide post-coal transition economic growth and investment opportunities. - Omeo gains new modular worker accommodation, supporting healthcare staff and strengthening regional community
Omeo District Health's new modular worker accommodation is underway, providing housing for healthcare staff, supporting regional jobs, and helping the town attract and retain doctors, nurses, and essential workers. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - East Gippsland Agriculture advisory committee highlights farming pressures, pest management, land use and stronger regional advocacy priorities
East Gippsland’s Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee highlighted growing farming pressures, prioritising pest management, land use, fuel costs and stronger evidence-based advocacy to support regional agriculture. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road speed limit instead of repairing dangerous regional road conditions
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road’s speed limit instead of repairing its deteriorating surface, calling for urgent action to improve regional road safety. - Danny O’Brien says Nationals and Liberals’ plan cuts waste, taxes and boosts regional investment
Danny O’Brien says Nationals and Liberals’ economic plan aims to cut waste, reduce taxes, ease cost pressures and restore investment in Gippsland services and infrastructure. - East Gippsland businesses invited to complete survey shaping economic priorities, investment and future regional growth planning
East Gippsland Shire Council is inviting businesses to complete its Business Insights Survey, helping identify challenges, growth opportunities and priorities for future investment, economic development and regional advocacy. - Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to donate early to Giving Trees and help bring Christmas joy to foster children
Gippslanders are encouraged to donate early to A Better Life for Foster Kids' Giving Trees, helping ensure every child in out-of-home care receives a Christmas gift this festive season. - Free Sustainable Living Series webinar to help Gippsland residents build smarter, greener and more climate-resilient homes from 30 July to 13 August 2026
A free Sustainable Building and Renovating webinar series will help Gippsland residents create comfortable, efficient homes through expert advice on design, materials, resilience, water management and sustainable building practices. - Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities. - Danny O’Brien backs plan to recruit 3,000 police, strengthening community safety and regional policing
Danny O’Brien supports a plan to recruit 3,000 police officers, saying it will improve community safety, reduce crime and strengthen regional policing across Gippsland. - Darren Chester welcomed Generous Gippsland fund supporting local projects and lasting community-led regional change
Darren Chester has welcomed Generous Gippsland, a new community fund supporting local projects, strengthening regional resilience and ensuring Gippsland contributions remain locally guided and impactful. - Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local businesses this Christmas, boosting jobs and celebrating regional products
Federal Member Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local businesses this Christmas, boosting jobs, celebrating regional produce, and helping small enterprises like Sale’s "Love in a Jar" thrive across the community. - Labor’s Wonthaggi Hospital promise remains unfunded, with rising demand and worsening regional wait times
Labor’s Wonthaggi Hospital promise remains unfunded, with rising demand, longer emergency wait times and delayed upgrades despite growing Bass Coast population pressures. - Southern Rural Water celebrates World Tourism Day 2025 while linking people, culture, nature, and sustainable regional tourism
World Tourism Day 2025 highlights water’s role in southern Victoria, connecting people, culture, recreation, agriculture, and sustainable tourism while supporting communities, ecosystems, and Traditional Owner cultural heritage. - Leongatha worker housing project delivers 14 apartments to attract essential staff and support regional growth
Construction has begun on 14 worker apartments at Woorayl Lodge in Leongatha, providing accommodation for essential workers and families, boosting regional liveability and addressing workforce shortages through the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. - ANZAC Week Airshow draws strong crowds, boosts Gippsland economy, celebrates aviation, defence heritage and regional tourism growth
The ANZAC Week Airshow drew strong crowds, generated a $1.8 million boost, showcased aviation excellence, and supported over 90 Gippsland businesses. - Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety. - Gippsland launches Offshore Wind Sector Plan guiding development, jobs, clean energy and regional growth
Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance launches Sector Plan to guide offshore wind development, supporting clean energy transition, investment, jobs and regional economic growth across the region. - Pip Courtney brings National Agricultural insights to Orbost Show’s Far East Victoria Landcare Expo
ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney was keynote at the Orbost Show Landcare Expo, sharing agricultural insights, promoting sustainable farming, soil health, and collaboration between producers, Landcare groups, and regional communities. - Danny O’Brien says pothole crisis highlights need for fair funding and improved regional roads
Gippsland needs fair infrastructure funding as pothole repairs highlight widespread road damage and alleged neglect under Victorian government spending priorities. - Darren Chester criticises ABC Four Corners, calling coverage biased, ignoring science, jobs and regional impacts
Darren Chester has criticised the ABC Four Corners program, calling its timber industry coverage biased, activist-driven, and ignoring science, jobs, and regional economic impacts. - Melina Bath criticises Allan government over poor safety ratings on Eastern Victoria roads
Melina Bath criticises Allan government after AusRAP reveals most eastern Victoria roads rated one or two stars, highlighting neglect, poor maintenance, and increased risk of serious injury or fatalities. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to reject solo policing and prioritise officer safety amid Victoria’s crime crisis
Melina Bath urged the Allan government to abandon plans for solo policing, warning it would put officers at risk. She called for improved police resourcing and said the Nationals would recruit 3,000 more officers while expanding training capacity.
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