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Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass blasts Andrews Labor government pandemic management of state border closures

Throughout 2021, The Nationals stood side-by-side with our regional communities to fight for sensible solutions to Labor's madness.

By news@gippsland - 20th December 2021 - Back to News

Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, blasted Labor's pandemic management of state border closures as "some of the most questionable decisions I have seen in my over seven years as Ombudsman" and "unjust, even inhumane".

We had all hoped that 2021 would be a year of healing, growth and recovery, but under Labor, it's been more of the same lies, corruption and contempt for Victorians

Assisting Victorians

Having personally assisted hundreds of Victorian citizens who were rendered homeless by these rules, left sleeping in campervans, tents or even in the back of their car because the rules banned them from coming home to Victoria - I couldn't agree more.

I would take it even further and say these restrictions were the result of the most appalling government decision-making in my nearly twenty years in the Victorian Parliament. Amid the pain, it was heartening to witness members of our community and our cross-border neighbours just over the divide coming together to soften the injustices forced on Victorians by Daniel Andrews.

The heavy-handed and reactionary devotion to a zero-case approach hurt the mental and social wellbeing of families and children and decimated small businesses. We successfully secured an LGA-by-LGA approach to restrictions - despite the Government resisting for far too long - and for the deployment of rapid testing.

Pushing for immediate change

Pressure from The Nationals also forced Labor to finally introduce new laws to protect farmers and farm families against illegal trespass - two long years after the change was recommended by a parliamentary inquiry.

Unfortunately, with the Agriculture Minister waiting until the final sitting day of the State Parliament to finally act, it will be deep into 2022 before these new laws will be in place. Looking to 2022, we'll keep fighting for a better deal for regional Victorians, to recover and rebuild from the pandemic. The mental health of every Victorian has suffered with the isolation and financial hardship of lockdowns.

The Nationals will keep pushing for immediate change like sensible legislative reform and changes to funding criteria that will unlock 4000 mental health practitioners to help the under-resourced workforce meet high demand.

Shortages keep coming

Workforce shortages also continue to be a problem for our hospitality and accommodation sectors. Our plan for sign-on bonuses of up to $1000 for new workers in these sectors will help to boost staffing so those businesses that are currently operating on scaled back trading hours or still remain closed, can reopen.

Meanwhile, a shortage of new housing lots coming onto the market and difficulties securing building materials, particularly timber, is risking regional areas missing out on the benefits of population growth. Lockdown forced many people to reconsider their priorities and lifestyle, with a boom in those choosing to make regional Victoria home.

Embrace proactive ideas

While Labor has chosen to cut the First Home Buyer grant scheme and implement a massive new housing tax that experts say will push up the cost of new housing lots by at least $25,000, The Nationals have developed a plan to ease the squeeze by unlocking 50,000 new lots.

At its core is making more skilled staff available for rural council's planning departments and untangling the web of Ministerial approvals that is stonewalling new housing developments. To recover and rebuild, Victoria must be bold by embracing positive, proactive ideas that create new career opportunities and revive our local economies.

If you want change, remember this promise when you vote in November 2022. In the meantime, we'll keep fighting to hold the Andrews Labor Government to account and we know that all of you will continue to look out for your friends, family, neighbours and community. Please have a safe, happy and well-deserved holiday season.

Pictures from Peter Walsh MP Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Baw Baw Civic Precinct initial development gets $3.5M funding from Victorian government Growing Suburbs Fund
  A landmark community precinct for the people of Warragul is now a step closer to reality, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
• State government recycling plan to significantly impact Bass Coast Shire Council approach to waste over next ten years
  Reforms that are going to significantly impact Bass Coast's approach to waste in the coming years.
• Traralgon Recreation Reserve gets $2.75M for new facilities development as part of Victorian government 2022/23 budget
  Latrobe City Council has welcomed the Victorian government's budget contribution of $2.75 million towards developing new facilities at Traralgon Recreation Reserve (TRR), which is a key component of council's Traralgon Flood Recovery Project.
• Upgrades and specialist equipment for Gippsland early childhood education centres via Victorian government Building Blocks Inclusion fund
  Upgrades to early childhood education centres and specialist equipment to help improve learning outcomes.
• How Labor's tax hike will slug Gippsland farmers, families and businesses
  Victorians pay the highest land taxes in Australia, but still the government is hiking them up even further.
• Tambo Waste developed glass processing facility in Bairnsdale to maximise opportunities in recycled glass
  Baw Baw Shire Council will improve pedestrian safety on Normanby Street, Warragul, following the presentation of a petition signed by 56 community members.
• New survey shows declining youth mental health post pandemic highlighting need to rejuvenate Victorian mental health workforce
  A new survey today detailing the declining mental health of young people after the pandemic has further highlighted the urgent need to rejuvenate Victoria's fatigued mental health workforce.
• Dan Andrews and his most senior ministers must apologise for victim-blaming and gas-lighting says Emma Kealy
  The Premier must apologise for the victim-blaming and gas-lighting by himself and one of his most senior Labor Ministers.
• Health Advocate Jane Anderson re-appointed by state government to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Latrobe Valley
  The Victorian Government is ensuring the right leadership is in place to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the Latrobe Valley.
• Roll out rapid testing to help save iconic Victorian spring racing carnival
  Major event that has been awaited by the crowd to forecast on 5 November.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card can apply for $250 Power Saving Bonus from Victorian government until 31 January 2022
  Calling on the eligible residents to send their application for the rebates they can receive as power saving bonus from the government.
• Country drivers in danger from hazards on rural roads from Andrews Labor government budget cuts
  Labor government's cut on the road maintenance neglect on the country road asset maintenance has left the country roads neglected.
• Labor political candidate handed top job at V/Line despite having no experience in transport sector
  A former Labor political candidate has been handed the top job at Victoria's country train operator V/Line, despite having no experience in the transport sector.
• Gippsland government schools can apply for state funded solar panels through Greener Government School Buildings program
  Applications for the school solar panel system are now open.
• Grants for creative workers open from state government' 'Sustaining Creative Workers' initiative
  The Victorian Government's Sustaining Creative Workers initiative is now open for applications, providing critical support to Victoria's independent creative sector when they need it most.
• Crown Casino reform not complete until thorough investigation of Andrews Labor Government dealings
  Victorian Liberals and Nationals accept the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Crown Casino today.
• Gippsland small and medium businesses can partake in $400 million of support from 'Victorian Business Support Package'
  A new jointly funded package from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will give Victorian small and medium businesses the extra support and confidence they need to recover from the recent lockdown.
• Latrobe Regional Hospital gets $217M funding for its expansion through the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA)
  Latrobe Regional Hospital expansion means additional facilities that will give support to the region's increasing and complex health demands.
• How Labor is helping regional communities like Gippsland recover from storms
  Funding made available to help communities recover from the storm.
• Regional kids including Gippsland still locked out of the classroom, but the Andrew's Labor state government won't tell us why
  Andrews Labor Government's decision to force students in regional communities into remote learning.
• Support for senior vocational education students (VET) from Andrews Labor government
  The Victorian Government is making sure every secondary school student whose Vocational Education and Training (VET) studies have been disrupted by the pandemic will receive extra support to complete their certificates.
• Darren Chester calls for federal and state governments to list Great Alpine Road as strategically importance so additional funding can be accessed
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says a multi-year program of upgrades is needed to improve safety on one of Gippsland's most important arterial roads.
• Landmark $30M multi-use community precinct state government funding for the heart of Warragul being pursued by Baw Baw Shire Council
  Council to pursue support from the state and federal government for the multi-use community precinct that will help in the economic development and will also benefit the region.
• People with an eating disorder to get more support with $20M funding from Victorian government
  More Victorians living with an eating disorder will receive the support they need to recover and live happy, healthy lives, thanks to record investment from the Andrews Labor government.
• Country commuters stranded on neglected V/Line network from Andrews Labor government budget cuts
  Regional train passengers are again wearing the consequences of decades of neglect of V/Line, with a statewide communications outage forcing the entire network to a standstill today.
• Brumby carcasses found by locals in East Gippsland bush requires explanation from Andrews Labor government about culling program
  Following reports of brumby carcasses being found in the East Gippsland bush, local Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Environment Minister to come clean on the details of the program.
• New report more evidence that immediate change needed to better Victorian children mental health
  New data today has painted a harrowing picture of the deteriorating mental health of young Victorians.
• LED lights to be installed at Darnum Recreation Reserve with $200,000 funding from Victorian Country Football Netball Program
  The AFL Oval and Netball Courts at Darnum Recreation Reserve will soon undergo much needed upgrades with the installation of new light towers and LED light fittings throughout the facility.
• Baw Baw Shire Council secures $824,000 state government funding for road upgrades to Jacksons Track near Labertouche
  Baw Baw Shire Council has secured $824,000 in State Government funding to carry out major road upgrades to Jacksons Track near Labertouche.
• Yinnar Primary School and stadium gets $7.3M for upgrades and modernisation from Victorian 2022/23 budget
  The Andrews Labor government is making sure students at Yinnar Primary School have better learning environments, with a huge investment to deliver a major upgrade for the growing school.
• Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe City Council get extra $13,200 from state government 'Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program'
  Eastern Victorian Councils will receive more funding to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
• Federal government will fund $182 million of road and rail works in Gippsland during 2022-23
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) says the Federal Government will fund $182 million worth of road and rail work in the region during the 2022-23 financial year.
• Federal government provides $131.8M for local road maintenance in West and Central Gippsland under the Roads to Recovery funding
  Local road maintenance in Monash will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian government's Roads to Recovery Program.
• Latrobe City Council calls government to back recovery of Traralgon Showgrounds community groups from 2021 storm and flood event
  Calling on the State and Federal Governments to back a plan to help community groups based at Traralgon Recreation Reserve and Showgrounds.
• Paynesville Slip Road Maritime Precinct on Burrabogie Island upgrade underway with $6.1M funding from Victorian and federal government grants
  Paynesville's much-anticipated Slip Road Maritime Precinct project on Burrabogie Island is progressing, with work on an improved design set to begin.
• Reinstate density limits and not patron caps for safe reopening of regional hospitality venues
  Victorian Government has been urged to reinstate density limits, not patron caps, for the safe reopening of regional hospitality venues
• Federal government backs largest indoor Barramundi aquaculture farm at Latrobe Valley with $30M funding
  The Latrobe Valley will become home to the world's largest indoor barramundi aquaculture farm with a $30 million boost from the federal government.
• Independent MPs help Labor make it harder to own a home in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland
  Independent MPs have joined with Labor MPs to pass a new housing tax.
• Federal government grants MediPharm Labs in Wonthaggi to $466,577 and create more local manufacturing jobs
  Grant to modernize a local company, MediPharm Labs to create greater efficiency and competitiveness.
• Gippsland not-for-profit kindergardens can apply for grants from $7.5M from state government fund to improve ventilation
  Victorian Government is helping kindergarten services across Eastern Victoria reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission, with support for better ventilation measures to help keep children and staff COVIDSafe.
• Over $4.77M invested by Liberal and Nationals Government for priority Gippsland projects to met local communities needs
  Liberal and Nationals Government investing over $4.77 million in South Gippsland to help communities recover from the pandemic.
• Call to federal government to extend funding for the HeadtoHelp (H2H) program in Gippsland
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling on the Federal Government to extend funding for the HeadtoHelp (H2H) program in Gippsland.
• Strzelecki Highway between Morwell and Mirboo North gets $8.25M to improve safety and reduce travel time from Victorian 2022/23 budget
  The Andrews Labor government is improving safety and travel times along the Strzelecki Highway with a new overtaking lane along the key tourism and agricultural route.
• Darren Chester urges all government levels to fund redevelopment of Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Morwell
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging all levels of government to work together and fund the redevelopment of the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Morwell.
• Rebuild opportunity for Victoria's broken mental health system will be missed if Labor government refuses to support crucial reforms
  An opportunity to rebuild Victoria's broken mental health system will be missed if the State Government refuses to support crucial reforms that will unlock thousands of extra workers for the exhausted and under-resourced workforce.
• Latrobe City Council helps secure $117M funding for local projects from Victorian 2022/23 budget
  Latrobe City Council thanks the State Government for their investment in local projects as part of the 2022/23 Budget.
• Heavy cuts for regional Victoria in 2022/23 budget due to record debts and costs blowouts from major projects by Andrews Labor government
  Regional Victorians are set to cop further cuts to services and find it even harder to buy a home with today's State Budget no more than a PR repair plan for Daniel Andrews.
• Pandemic-driven property price rises putting the squeeze on Gippsland and other regional home buyers
  Property and rental price hike in regional Victoria, while availability in other areas are dropping.
• Promised plant nursery with 30 jobs for Nowa Nowa scrapped by Andrews Labor government
  The State Government's promise to establish a nursery employing 30 people in Nowa Nowa has, as many expected, been scrapped, in fact, it never progressed beyond the media release.
• Pandemic frightens people but that should not stop us asking any questions like if vaccine mandates are effective and what alternative treatments are there
  Thoughts and questions about the mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports.
• Bridget Brown from Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club wins silver medal in beach sprints at Victorian Championships 2022
  Life Saving Victoria's best senior athletes from Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) put on a spectacle at Warrnambool SLSC this weekend for the Victorian Championships.
• More than a hundred jobs to be cut from Agriculture Victoria reducing services to food and fibre industry by Andrews Labor government
  As all Victorians continue to be impacted by food shortages and major disruptions to the food supply chain, Labor will axe 109 jobs from Agriculture Victoria this year.
• More ambulances and paramedics for Latrobe Valley from Andrews Labor government
  More ambulances and paramedics for the Latrobe Valley to ensure locals get the best care.
• High-intensity bushfires and invasive animals biggest risk to Victorian ecosystems
  Report and recommendations made to protect Victori'as ecosystems and combat the devastation of bushfires, invasive weeds and pest animals.
• No more excuses for bushfire recovery delays in East Gippsland from Andrews Labor government
  All levels of government have been challenged to stop making excuses and get on with the job of delivering bushfire recovery projects in East Gippsland.
• Mirboo North Pool reopens with updated facilities from $3.6M low interest loan from Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Victorian government scheme
  Mirboo North's updated pool facilities are open in time for summer fun, thanks to a community sports loan from the Victorian Government.
• Baw Baw Shire Council shares in state funding to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system
  Victorian councils are being supported to roll out new education campaigns to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system, as part of the Victorian Government's goal to divert 80% of waste from landfill.
• Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25 adopted by Baw Baw Shire Council
  Adopted domestic animal management plan that will provide and ensure domestic animals safety with responsible ownership.
• Darren Chester says Latrobe Valley owed explanation from Dan Andrews on failed promise for 500 electric vehicle manufacturing jobs
  Latrobe Valley community wants to know why members of the parliament refuse to participate in a local task force.
• Youth-specific rehabilitation facility on Northern Avenue in Traralgon officially opened as part of Victorian Ice Action Plan
  Latrobe Valley and Gippsland youth to get the alcohol and drugs rehabilitation support they need through Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).
• Support Baw Baw Shire hospitality and businesses throughout the pandemic with 'Baw Baw Eat and Explore' campaign and website
  Government project that encourages community to buy local products as much as they can to help the businesses thrive with the current challenges from the pandemic.
• Noojee transition plan from timber industry to be developed by independent project officer with $360,000 from Victorian Forestry grant
  State government initiative that would help support the timber communities and local jobs.
• Lockdowns causing catastrophic mental health toll on the youngest Victorians
  Victorians deserve the truth surrounding the catastrophic mental health toll lockdowns are having on the youngest people in our community.
• Morwell Foodbank hub at standstill after four years of promises from Andrews Labor government
  Lack of updates and communications with the Latrobe Valley community with regards to the promised Morwell Foodbank Hub, community seeks more information about the Morwell Foodbank Hub
• Repairing Morwell River Diversion for Yallourn mine to ensure energy supply agreed on between Energy Australian and Victorian government
  Works to repair the damage in the Morwell River Diversion (MRD) near the Yallourn coal mine to secure Victoria's energy supply have been agreed upon between the Victorian Government and Energy Australia.
• New Men's Shed Workshop at Neerim Junction on digital technology funded $80,000 from Victorian government
  Council has entered a community lease with Neerim District Community House and Men's Shed to develop a workshop facility located at the former Neerim Junction Tennis Courts, at 17 Court Rd, Neerim Junction.
• Gippsland Cancer Care Centre to get new Linear Accelerator as part of $11M funding package from the Victorian 2022/23 budget
  Regional cancer patients will have access to brand new radiotherapy services closer to home, thanks to a massive funding boost in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
• Bringing manufacturing home needed to solve growing shortages of essential chemicals and spare parts by Victorian farm businesses
  The global supply chain took a battering in the COVID pandemic and now conflict between Russia and the Ukraine is further shaking the foundations of Victoria's key import and export markets.
• Gippsland live performance presenters and suppliers can apply for state support from event cancellations between May and September
  The Victorian Government is providing more support for live performance events that have been cancelled due to the recent coronavirus restrictions.
• Pet plan (Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021/25) adopted by Bass Coast Shire Council
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-25 at the October Council Meeting.
• Desperate Triple-Zero calls unanswered and long ambulance waits from result from Andrews Labor government
  Crisis in Victoria's health system that's being ignored by the Andrews Labor government.
• East Gippsland Conservation Management Network gets $200,663 via Environment Restoration Fund to enhance protection of threatened Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies
  East Gippsland Conservation Management Network (EGCMN) will improve protection for Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies in Gippsland thanks to federal government funding.
• Local emergency services for regional Victoria should feature in 2022-23 Victorian budget
  Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull is hoping to see some key projects ticked off in next week's State Budget.
• Business Fibre Zones with 1 GB Internet connections coming to Warragul and Wonthaggi-Inverloch from agreement between state government and NBN Co
  Victorians can look forward to more areas of their state being able to access the highest speed NBN speed tiers under a co-investment agreement between NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) and the Victorian Government, announced today.
• Moe Play Space in Apex Park gets changing places accessible toilet from Latrobe City Council with $110,000 from Victorian government
  Funding received from the government for changing areas at Apex Park.
• Extraordinary backtrack means more time to speak up against draconian Dan Andrews Pandemic Bill
  Peter Walsh MP opposing the bill and urging Victorians to speak up and stand up for their freedom.
• Low-income Gippsland households can apply for $1,000 rebate to replace old heaters from state government 'Home Heating and Cooling Upgrade' program
  Heating upgrade grant to support low-income households.
• Gippsland state-owned schools, health and service organisations directed to move regional banks accounts to CBA, NAB and Westpac
  State-owned schools, health services and organisations have been directed to close accounts with smaller regional banks and transfer funds to Commonwealth, Westpac or NAB banks.
• Research underway to strengthen Greater Glider possum population in Latrobe CIty with $50,000 grant from Victorian government
  A research project is underway to study and strengthen the population of the Greater Glider possum, the largest gliding mammal in Australia.
• Amendments to double maximum fine for farm invasion blocked by Labor, Greens and Independent MPs
  Amendments to double the maximum fine for illegal farm invasion have been blocked in Victorian Parliament by Labor, Greens and Independent MPs.
• Leongatha roadside rest area gets upgraded via Liberal and Nationals Government's Driver Reviver Site Upgrade Program
  Leongatha roadside rest areas will be upgraded to help combat driver fatigue and make local roads safer, thanks to funding under the Liberal and Nationals Government's Driver Reviver Site Upgrade Program.
• Mallacoota-Genoa road gets $10M in federal government funding to improve safety and resilience
  Work to improve the resilience and safety of the Mallacoota-Genoa Road.
• Chronic shortage of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for coronavirus in Victoria responsibility of Andrews Labor government
  Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are having a shortage while the government is trying to play the blame game.
• Feedback wanted from Gippslanders on Connecting Victoria survey from state government
  One Gippsland has welcomed the Victorian Government's ground-breaking Connecting Victoria Engagement Report that outlines the digital connectivity issues in regional Victoria.
• Expelling students with disability to burden families is not the answer to under-resourced Victorian schools
  Data released today confirms soaring rates of expulsion of students with a disability during the pandemic, indicating under-resourced schools are not coping.
• Nationals alternative roadmap for Victoria and Gippsland to reopen, rebuild and recover out of COVID restrictions delivers certainty and positivity
  Victorians are looking for an iron-clad guarantee on the road to reopen, rebuild and recover.
• Puffing Billy tradition of sitting on window sills returns to the iconic heritage Victorian railway
  The time-honoured tradition of sitting on the sills of Puffing Billy will make its long-awaited return to the iconic heritage railway from today.
• Concern over delays to rollout of Murray Basin Rail Project East expresses by Gippsland Shire Council to Andrews Labor government
  Council backed a request from the Rail Freight Alliance (RFA), of which Council is a member, to join a statewide call to get the project back on track ahead of the Victorian State Election.
• Gippsland hospitality businesses will stay shut on Friday from unworkable rules imposed by Andrews Labor government
  Ease of restriction given to Victoria is not enough to keep businesses to stay open and recover.
• Sale RSL receives $120,000 improvement grant from federal government under Veteran and Community Grants program
  The home of Gippsland Veterans Welfare Centre in Sale is about to receive a new roof thanks to a $120,000 Federal Government grant.
• Mental health cut $60M from Beyond Blue, Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia, Lifeline and Kids Helpline by Andrews Labor government
  Mental Health Minister James Merlino has confirmed almost $60 million of cruel cuts to mental health programs that were designed to help struggling Victorians recover from the pandemic.
• Outrage among regional motorists as new data shows most neglected local government areas in country Victoria
  The sad state of country roads is driving outrage among regional motorists with new data painting a picture of Victoria's most neglected local government areas.
• Gippsland motorists robbed of life-saving road upgrades as state and federal government dithers
  Government failing to fast track the road safety upgrades putting regional communities in critical functioning.
• Funding $2.69 million goes to four major Gippsland businesses and Latrobe City Council via Regional Recovery Fund
  The Andrews Labor Government is accelerating regional Victoria's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by investing in Eastern Victoria to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
• DASMA in Morwell to innovate waste management principles with $2.1M from Cooperative Research Centres Projects
  A Morwell based company will develop and incorporate new processes of utilising recovered materials across the supply chain thanks to Federal Government funding.
• Tim Bull Statement on Fingerboards Mineral Sands project not proceeding in its current form in 2021
  The proposed Fingerboards Mineral Sands Mine near Bairnsdale will not proceed in its current form.
• Tutor program to continue in schools across Eastern Victoria until 2022
  The Victorian Government will make sure that not one school student across Eastern Victoria is left behind in the wake of the pandemic, with the state's extraordinarily successful tutor program to continue until the end of 2022.
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report shows massive 30 percent increase in Ice Drug addiction after Victorian lockdowns
  New data pointing to a spike in drug use and addiction has painted a harrowing picture of the impact of lockdowns on the lives of vulnerable Victorians.
• Latrobe Valley paper will continue to be sent by rail for export and distribution as key Gippsland freight service gets stimulus for Victorian government
  Improvements on train tracks that will help ensure its daily runs.
• Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park trails in Moe to be further extended via Regional Tourism Investment Fund
  Victorian Government is supporting the extension of a popular mountain bike track in Gippsland.
• Food relief across the Latrobe Valley funded $16,700 from Food Relief Financial Reserve
  The Victorian Government is ensuring those who are doing it tough during the pandemic can continue putting a meal on the table, with funding to deliver food to Victorians who need it most.
• Treasurer Tim Pallas finally apologises for disgraceful slur directed at a female Labor colleague - Premier must now do the same
  Treasurer Tim Pallas has finally apologised today for his disgraceful slur directed at a female Labor colleague and the Premier must now do the same.
• Better free parking management coming to Cowes and Wonthaggi
  A better way to manage free parking in Cowes and Wonthaggi is on the way.
• Not clear how Gippsland and Latrobe Valley hospitals performing during a pandemic after health services fail to finalise annual reports
  The community has no clear idea of how local regional hospitals are performing during a pandemic after nearly 60 country health services failed to finalise their annual reports.
• Giant Gippsland Earthworms and Hooded Plovers get $500,000 from Morrison government Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan
  Community-led program that aims to conserve, restore and protect native wildlife that share the same habitat.
• Latrobe Valley Blue Hydrogen project gets $2.98M support from federal government and Latrobe City Council
  Latrobe City Council welcomes the federal government's $2.98 million commitment to the Latrobe Valley Blue Hydrogen project by Zero Degrees Rosella.
• Fair share needed for regional Victoria in 2022-23 Budget
  Regional Victorians are demanding a fair share of the state's spend on hospitals, schools, infrastructure and mental health in the lead up to the State Budget on May 3.
• Lakes Entrance Aquadome wins 2022 Small Facility Management Award at Aquatic and Recreation Victoria Industry Awards
  The Lakes Entrance Aquadome came out on top at the recent Aquatic and Recreation Victoria Industry Awards.
• Cunninghame Arm community-driven project in Lakes Entrance boardwalk gets $5.8M federal government funding to make it work for all-abilities
  Work to construct an all-abilities boardwalk and shared pathway around the shores of Cunninghame Arm in Lakes Entrance will start this year thanks to $5.8 million in federal government funding.
• Call for Gippsland schools, community organisations and sporting clubs to apply for grants to increase shade from sun via state government sunshade program
  Government program to better protect the community while having their time outdoors.
• Baw Baw Shire Council calls for more storm relief support from state and federal governments
  Baw Baw Shire Council has called on the State and Federal Governments to fulfil their promises and provide more support in the aftermath of the June storm events.
• Part of Gippsland Performing Arts Centre $42M redevelopment opens up opportunities for regional creative community workers
  The Andrews Labor government is supporting local creative workers and community activities in Traralgon, with the unveiling of new spaces, facilities, and training programs at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.
• Campaign to identify Victoria's most dangerous and hazardous roads launched by Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan with Matthew Guy
  Victorians are being asked to name the state's worst roads in a new campaign to identify the most dangerous hazards that are risking lives on our roads every single day.
• Serious findings by Inspector General of Emergency Management report cannot wait until 2024
  Recommendations from a review of the bushfires that ravaged the region will not be acted on by the Andrews Labor government.
• Pakenham railway line to have boom gate removed by 2025
  The Andrews Labor Government will make Melbourne's longest train line level crossing-free, with the last five dangerous and congested level crossings on the Pakenham line to be gone for good by 2025.
• Baw Baw Shire Council gets $360,000 additional disaster recovery funding to support community long term recovery from 2019 bushfire
  Funding provided by the Victorian Government to support bushfire safety and preparedness initiatives in the eastern region of Baw Baw Shire.
• Public notices to stay public in a win for country newspapers and regional communities
  The state Labor government's attempt to hide government changes from regional communities and axe an important source of revenue for local newspapers has been stopped by The Nationals in Victorian Parliament.
• TAFE Gippsland Warragul campus upgrade complete and now world-class training facility
  The Andrews Labor government has completed its multimillion-dollar upgrade of TAFE Gippsland's Warragul campus, giving local jobseekers the chance to train in world-class facilities before entering a rewarding career.
• Wellington Shire Council calls for concerns and suggestions during pandemic with Living Well During COVID-19 plan
  Residents of Wellington to give their suggestions to help improve wellbeing during the pandemic.
• GippSport gets $849,930 to support young disengaged Gippslanders from federal government's Safer Communities Fund
  A program to support disengaged young people has received a funding boost thanks to the Federal Government.
• West and central Gippsland gets $480M for 4G and 5G wireless upgrade from Morrison government in 2022-23 federal budget
  Electorate of Monash will have access to a significantly more capable NBN network following a $480 million investment by the Morrison Government in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.