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Nationals' Minority Report slams Labor's inaction on coastal protection, housing, and practical climate resilience for Gippslanders

The Nationals' Minority Report accuses Allan Labor of failing coastal Victoria, citing erosion, housing, infrastructure, and emergency service tax issues, calling for urgent, practical, community-led climate resilience measures.

By news@gippsland - 13th August 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals have released a Minority Report to the Climate Resilience Inquiry, exposing the Allan Labor government's failure to deliver practical, community-led climate adaptation across coastal Victoria.

Melina Bath calls for coastal erosion plans, housing reform, disaster funding transparency, landholder protections, and fuel reduction, urging Labor to prioritise practical, community-driven solutions

Regional crisis neglect

While regional Victorians battle worsening coastal erosion, unaffordable housing, and stretched emergency services, the Allan Labor government is bogged down in needless roadblocks, offering nothing but delays, excuses and more tax. Overlapping environmental regulations are stalling housing, inflating costs, and pushing home ownership further out of reach. The report identified five major failures:

• Coastal erosion: Communities are facing worsening erosion with no clear action or funding from the government
• Planning and building reform: Uncoordinated regulations and unfunded mandates are choking housing supply and leaving councils unable to meet infrastructure demands
• Agriculture and renewables: Farmers are being excluded from planning decisions and no recycling plan for renewable infrastructure
• Building back better: Councils are forced to rebuild damaged infrastructure to outdated standards, risking repeat failures and wasted public money
• Emergency services tax: The emergency services tax is a politicised tax grab, slugging $3 billion from Victorians with no guarantee of frontline support

The Nationals' Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, said the Allan Labor government is all talk and no action. "Bass Coast, Gippsland and the Great Ocean Road urgent real solutions - protection from erosion, affordable housing, and infrastructure that can withstand future disasters - not more reports out of step with the urgency required."

Coastal action urgency

Ms Bath continued, "Coastal communities are watching as erosion threatens their infrastructure and public safety - government reports remain incomplete and out of step with the urgency required. We need action - not more studies. The Nationals are calling for:

• Coordinated coastal erosion strategy
• Planning reform to support housing affordability
• Transparent disaster recovery funding
• Protection of landholder rights in renewable energy projects
• Fuel reduction targets aligned with the Bushfire Royal Commission

Ms Bath urged the Allan Labor government to act now. "We've put forward practical, community-led solutions. The only thing standing in the way is Labor's obsession with red tape over results. The layers of bureaucracy are ultimately just crippling any decision-making and paralysing any action moving forward."

The Nationals stand for practical, community-led climate resilience - with fuel reduction targets, infrastructure built back better, and planning reform that supports, not punishes Victorians. It's time the Allan Labor government moved on from bureaucracy to immediate action. A copy of the report can be found at Melina Bath MP website.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Danny O’Brien warns Gippslanders to stay alert as fake government email and text scams increase
  Danny O’Brien urges residents to stay vigilant against sophisticated government-themed email and text scams, verify messages using Scam Safe Check, and report suspicious activity to protect the community.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to prioritise urgent upgrades for Gippsland schools in poor condition
  Melina Bath urges Allan Government to urgently upgrade Gippsland schools, highlighting 2025 report revealing many in poor condition, with ageing infrastructure and maintenance deficits impacting students’ education.
• Skeene Creek Farm launches, driving sustainable agriculture, innovation, and resilience across East Gippsland region
  Skeene Creek Farm launches near Bairnsdale, transforming underutilised land into a sustainable agriculture hub, promoting circular economy, innovation, environmental resilience, and practical research for East Gippsland farmers.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• Darren Chester braces Gippslanders demand for safer roads as funding stalls while initiatives like Cycling Without Age grow
  Gippslanders demand urgent road repairs, with Princes Highway neglected for years, while initiatives like Cycling Without Age provide older residents joy, connection, and community engagement across the region.
• 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.
• Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
  The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project.
• Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
  The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families.
• Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local growers, highlighting family-owned 'Get Fresh Gippsland' business
  Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to support local growers this Christmas, highlighting family-run Get Fresh Gippsland for supplying fresh, locally grown produce while strengthening the regional economy.
• Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to honour veterans and support the annual poppy appeal this Remembrance Day
  Danny O'Brien is urging Gippslanders to honour veterans this Remembrance Day and support the annual Poppy Appeal, helping fund vital services for veterans and their families across the region.
• Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local artisans, makers, and small businesses this holiday season
  Federal Member Darren Chester encourages Gippslanders to shop local this Christmas, supporting artisans, makers, and small businesses like Emporium 3844, boosting the regional economy and celebrating community talent.
• Kurnai College supports young Gippslanders completing Year 12 while balancing parenting and education challenges
  Kurnai College’s Young Parents Program helps Gippsland students complete Year 12, gain VET qualifications, and build confidence, resilience, and life skills while providing onsite childcare and strong community support.
• Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to use free blind safety kits to prevent tragic child accidents
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges residents to order free Consumer Affairs Victoria blind safety kits, warning unsecured curtain cords are a hazard and simple fixes can prevent child deaths.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to end delays and deliver the long-promised Cape to Cape Plan
  Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch.
• Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
  Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding.
• Darren Chester urges young Gippslanders to apply for 2026 National Youth Parliament Leadership Program by 21 November 2025
  Darren Chester is encouraging Gippsland students aged 16 - 17 to apply for the 2026 National Youth Parliament, offering a fully funded week-long leadership and democracy program in Canberra.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.
• Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities.
• Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
  The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability.
• East Gippsland Council advances regional projects, improving facilities, accessibility, resilience and growth
  East Gippsland Council is delivering major regional projects, upgrades, improving accessibility, supporting resilience, and enhancing infrastructure across towns including Bairnsdale, Buchan, Mallacoota, Cann River, and Paynesville.
• Melina Bath criticises politicised VEAC, failing land management, while $1.4M could fund bushfire prevention, environmental services
  Melina Bath warns Victorian hunters and anglers against reduced services as Labor pushes VFA-GMA merger, urging proper funding, training, and enforcement to protect compliance, sustainability, and regional outdoor traditions.