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Melina Bath demands increased VICSES funding, criticises Labor Minister for delays and insufficient support

:Melina Bath urged increased funding for VICSES, criticising Labor's failure to support emergency volunteers. She condemned outdated equipment, delayed reimbursements, and Labor's neglect of recommendations from the 2022 Flood Inquiry.

By news@gippsland - 16th September 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals' Melina Bath has called for an increase in funding for VICSES to adequately fund Victoria's volunteer state emergency services units in state parliament. Ms Bath criticised Labor's Minister for Emergency Services for failing to provide adequate funding for VICSES and fast track the recommendations from the 2022 Flood Inquiry report. Speaking in state parliament, Ms Bath said Labor's lack of support for the state emergency service (SES) is "remarkable, astonishing and devastating for volunteers", and labelled this year's state budget an "insult".

In state parliament, Ms. Bath condemned Labor's SES support as "remarkable and devastating" and called the budget an "insult," highlighting serious issues with equipment and reimbursements

Volunteers undervalued, frustrated

Ms Bath said, "Volunteers are spending an enormous amount of time and effort fundraising to supply or replace basic necessities and equipment. Representatives from eight of my local SES units have raised serious concerns with me about the lack of gear, outdated equipment, and lengthy delays in financial reimbursements. Our emergency volunteers are highly frustrated and disrespected, having to wait eight months for reimbursements on chainsaw oil and petrol."

Ms Bath highlighted that almost 5000 volunteers contributed over 285,000 hours last financial year, equating to almost half a billion dollars in work output. "Despite such significant community contributions, Labor is continuing to undervalue and disrespect our emergency services volunteers. The flood inquiry recommended the Victorian Government increase VICSES funding to upgrade emergency communication technologies, critical resources and enhance volunteer programs. Labor can't manage money, can't manage emergency response services and Victorians are paying the price."

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• East Gippsland Council launches Buy Local campaign to support businesses, jobs, and community vibrancy this festive season and summer
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Buy Local campaign, encouraging residents to support local businesses, strengthen jobs, and keep the community vibrant throughout the festive season and beyond.
• David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds.
• Darren Chester honours Legacy volunteers' century of supporting veterans' families at national launch
  Darren Chester praised Legacy volunteers at the national launch, highlighting their century of supporting veterans' families. Legacy Week 2025 will raise funds through badge and bear sales to provide vital services.
• Danny O’Brien says July-September 2025 data shows Labor continues failing Gippsland’s critical emergency response
  Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities.
• Danny O'Brien praises Gippsland community's generosity supporting Foster Kids after ram raid destroyed Christmas gifts
  Danny O'Brien praised Gippsland's generosity after a ram raid devastated A Better Life For Foster Kids, urging continued support through toy donations, PJ Day participation, and community involvement to brighten children's lives.
• Bass Coast Christmas Giving Trees set up to support local families in need this festive season
  Bass Coast Shire Council’s Christmas Giving Trees are collecting gifts, gift cards, and food to support local families, with donations accepted at Customer Service Centres until early December.
• East Gippsland drivers urged to follow parking limits this festive season to support local businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council reminds drivers to follow festive season parking limits, ensuring accessibility, supporting local businesses, and avoiding fines, while respecting loading zones and disabled parking bays.
• Baw Baw Shire Council awarded $140,000 in community grants to support sustainable, healthy, and thriving community projects
  Council has awarded over $140,000 in Community Grants to 36 groups, supporting events, projects, and minor capital works that strengthen community sustainability, health, and wellbeing through not-for-profit initiatives.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth urges vigilance, community support and preparedness during recent extreme heat and bushfire risks
  East Gippsland Mayor acknowledges recent extreme heat, commends community responses, urges vigilance, bushfire preparedness, checking on vulnerable people, accessing support services, and using Vic Emergency app and Emergency Dashboard.
• Gippsland Water begins Warragul wastewater plant upgrade to support growth, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact
  Gippsland Water has begun a two-year Warragul wastewater plant upgrade, replacing ageing infrastructure, improving operations, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing environmental outcomes to support rapid regional growth.
• 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.
• Tim Bull says firewood shortage worsened by Labor policies amid abundant bush timber
  Tim Bull says Labor’s native timber shutdown has caused firewood shortages in East Gippsland, despite record bush fuel loads, urging practical policy changes to reduce fire risk and supply timber responsibly.
• Gippslanders stand united, condemning violence and supporting victims of the tragic Bondi Beach attack
  The Bondi Beach tragedy deeply saddens us. Gippslanders stand united, honoring victims, thanking brave responders, condemning violence, and calling for kindness, tolerance, and community support in the face of adversity.
• CFA faces critical staffing shortages in Gippsland as Labor government fails to act before dangerous fire season
  A new report reveals serious CFA staffing shortages in Gippsland, with vacancies, fatigue, and leadership gaps risking slower responses this dangerous fire season. Labor must act urgently.
• East Gippsland Council opens impact grants applications to support local community and environmental projects
  East Gippsland Council’s Impact Grants program offers $3,001 - $20,000 to community groups for projects strengthening communities or supporting environmental sustainability, with applications closing 31 October 2025.
• South Gippsland immunisation sessions extended with extra times to support community after Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure
  Following Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure, immunisation sessions have been extended, offering full-range vaccines for children, adults, pregnant women, and at-risk groups, with extra times available for community bookings.
• Darren Chester urges Dicky Bill workers, families to attend Maffra Support and Services Expo on 10 December 2025
  Federal Member Darren Chester urges Dicky Bill workers, families to attend Maffra Support & Services Expo December 10 for employment, training, financial, and wellbeing assistance from 20 local exhibitors.
• Wellington Shire Council responds to AKD Yarram closure, pledges support for 73 affected workers and community
  Wellington Shire Council expressed heartbreak over AKD Yarram’s closure, impacting 73 employees, pledging support, advocating state assistance, and encouraging redeployment and economic opportunities to sustain the community.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership.
• 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.
• Drouin Picnic Racing Club receives $13,519 upgrade boost through Allan Labor government's Regional Customer Facilities Program
  Drouin Picnic Racing Club will receive $13,519 to upgrade facilities and enhance race day experiences, part of the Allan Labor government's $730,000 investment improving regional racing venues statewide.
• Gippsland students return to classrooms rated poor or below average, exposing Labor’s neglect of regional schools, says Danny O'Brien
  As Gippsland students return to school in 2026, 18 regional schools are rated poor or below average, highlighting Labor’s neglect and urgent need for infrastructure investment, says Danny O’Brien.
• Bass Coast Council adopts 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to support responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan, promoting responsible pet ownership, wildlife protection, and safer shared spaces shaped by extensive community consultation and environmental stewardship goals.
• Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
  Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households.
• Second round of South Gippsland community grants now open, with drop-in support sessions in various dates and locations
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• Second round of South Gippsland community grants now open, with drop-in support sessions in various dates and locations
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
  East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses.
• Darren Chester commends Mac Waste Group for community commitment and support for Gippsland families
  Darren Chester praised Mac Waste Group for its community commitment, local job creation, youth training initiatives, and support for Gippsland families through its partnership with the Little Jem Foundation and fundraising efforts.
• East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
  Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption.
• Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
  Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience.
• Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Danny O’Brien condemns sudden AKD Yarram timber mill closure, 73 jobs lost, pledges support for affected community
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien says sudden AKD Yarram timber mill closure, costing 73 jobs, devastates the community, pledging support for affected families, workers, and local businesses during this crisis.
• Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
  Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease.
• Tim Bull says kangaroo overpopulation devastates farms, with permits insufficient to protect crops and livelihoods
  Gippsland farmers face severe crop damage from exploding kangaroo populations. MP Tim Bull urges urgent permit reforms to allow practical, case-by-case management, protecting livelihoods and ensuring ongoing food production.