Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Darren Chester questions Labor's leadership, saying Australians will answer "no" to being better off under the Prime MinisterLabor government is criticised for focusing on slogans instead of governing, neglecting regional areas, and failing to deliver key infrastructure projects. Regional Australians are disappointed by broken promises and unfulfilled priorities. By news@gippsland - 21st November 2024 - Back to News I know, Mr Speaker, you understand what a caring kind of guy I am. I'm starting to get worried about the wellbeing of the entire Labor frontbench because they're absolutely obsessed with the Leader of the Opposition. It's six months until the next federal election is due to be held, and they've given up governing. Their obsession with the Leader of the Opposition is evident every day in this place. Forget about Labor's 'light on the hill'. 
Regional Australians aren't easy to fool, and will soon ask if they're better off under this Prime Minister. With rising costs, the answer will be 'no', according to Darren Chester Slogan-focused governmentForget about Bob Hawke's famous pledge that by 1990, no Australian child would be living in poverty. It's now clear that by 2025, no Australian child will be living without a three-word slogan. As we've seen in question time, as we've seen all this week, Labor has given up on governing and is now completely focused on three-word slogans and regurgitating the attack lines, the negative points, that come up in its focus group hearings. They've given up any attempts at vision, hope, optimism or aspiration. 'No child will be living without a three-word slogan' is this government's plan for Australia's future. They strut to the dispatch box, and they claim that cost of living is now their No. 1 priority. After wasting more than $400 million tearing Australians apart with a vanity project otherwise known as the Voice, it's embarrassing to watch. Those of us who live in the regions understand there are many skills shortages in Australia today, but the biggest skills shortage in Australia today is in the Australian Labor Party cabinet. I'm disappointed the member for Moreton is leaving the place; at least if he was in the cabinet room, there'd be a little bit of skill injected into the room. Cabinet skills shortageThe biggest skills shortage on the Australian continent today is in the Australian cabinet, which is suffering a severe lack of skills - even the poor old member for Moreton couldn't get a game there. Instead of developing policies and making Australia stronger and safer, this cabinet has been turned into a three-word slogan factory. We have before us, effectively, an opposition in waiting. They've given up on governing, and all they're doing now is throwing mud at the Leader of the Opposition, desperately running scare campaigns, and desperately conjuring up more three-word slogans straight out of their focus groups. I'm sure that everyone here - I look around the room; maybe not Sam. What's your seat again? Seinfeld government critiqueMaybe the member for Hawke's not quite old enough to remember this, but everyone else is old enough to remember the TV show Seinfeld. Everyone remembers the show, Seinfeld. There's one very famous episode in Seinfeld where Jerry and George pitch their ideas to a TV producer to develop what they call 'a show about nothing'. Sadly, when it comes to regional Australia, we are living through a Seinfeld government at a federal level. It's been a show about nothing, and regional Australians are worse off. This Seinfeld government has failed to deliver for local communities. It's been divided. It's been distracted by a Canberra-knows-best attitude and has no interest in our local communities. They don't believe in locals, and they don't trust us in the regions to make decisions that benefit our communities. Infrastructure delays criticisedI really only need to consider the performance of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local government to demonstrate that this Seinfeld government has built nothing. The minister for infrastructure and transport, otherwise known as the minister for ribbon-cutting, wasted her first year in office and then, after wasting her first year in office, the minister for ribbon-cutting decided she needed a 90-day infrastructure review to decide on her future priorities. The only problem with the Minister for Infrastructure's 90-day review is that it took 200 days. This minister is the only person on the planet who would take five minutes to make two-minute noodles! She took 200 days for a 90-day review. This delay meant cost increases for projects, uncertainty and then project cancellations. Quite noticeably, though, the project cancellations mainly occurred in seats held by coalition members in regional areas. The minister also locked in some regional rip-offs when she took away the 80-20 funding split. The Commonwealth used to pay 80 per cent and state governments 20 per cent for regional projects. Now it's all fifty-fifty, so we get less for regional areas as a direct result of this minister's decision coming out of her 90-day, 200-day review. Growing regions stalledOn top of the cuts to regional transport projects, the government has failed - and this is quite extraordinary - to build a single project under its Growing Regions Program. Remember that program? It had $600 million to build projects for regional Australia. It took more than two years even to call for nominations, and now, after 2 and a half years, work hasn't started on a single project under the Growing Regions Program. The minister has had to pretend she's delivered something by inspecting and opening Coalition-funded regional projects. The hypocrisy of this minister is that she comes in here and she spouts three-word slogans from the focus groups and attacks the record of the previous government, but then she sneaks out of here, and she travels around Australia, taking credit for projects she had nothing to do with. During the sitting weeks, she's in here shouting, the warrior for Labor, at the dispatch box making these false claims about chaos and everything else she thinks went wrong during the coalition government, but then, when she gets over here, she's off travelling around Australia, cutting ribbons, unveiling plaques and issuing press releases taking credit. Bypass credit overlookedYou don't have to take my word for it; you just have to look at the minister's own press releases. This is one of my favourites: 'LIGHT AT THE END OF THE COFFS HARBOUR BYPASS TUNNEL' In a major milestone for one of regional Australia's biggest infrastructure projects, the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar Coffs Harbour Bypass is complete. Well done, Minister! This is a major milestone for this nation-shaping project. During consultation ahead of the project in 2016, the people of Coffs Harbour were very clear they wanted tunnels instead of cuttings, and it is great to see progress in bringing that to fruition. But, in 2019 the minister was the shadow minister who failed to back the project in the first place. The member for Cowper fought like a Trojan to get the work done. He doesn't even get a mention in the press release. Gympie Bypass milestoneBut it gets better. I won't bore you with the roundabout in my electorate; that's a little bit too self-indulgent. I should go to the hypocrisy roll of dishonour, which is very long. This one is my favourite in all of Australia. This one is really good: the Cooroy to Curra section D on the Bruce Highway, colloquially known as the Gympie bypass. This one really takes chutzpah. This one really does take the cake. This project started under Warren Truss. It continued when I was Minister - before I was sacked the first time! Then, it continued under the Member for Riverina. Throughout all this, the constant advocacy by the Member for Wide Bay fighting for this project has been exemplary. What you see in this press release, though, is: The Albanese and Queensland government-funded Gympie Bypass has opened to traffic, a significant improvement for residents with heavy vehicles no longer needing to travel through Gympie - All true - and a quote from the Prime Minister himself. This vital infrastructure project has been a long time coming for the locals and visitors who travel throughout the Gympie region. Bypass funding debateAnd one from the Minister: 'The Gympie Bypass' opening to traffic today is a monumental achievement by the Australian and Queensland governments. But she didn't put any money into it. It was funded entirely by the previous coalition government. There are more that I probably won't quite get to - no, I will. The Minister opposite, the Minister for Regional Development, local government and Territories - this is a beauty too - is in WA. She has announced $800,000 for a childcare centre, and she says: It's fantastic to see local-led projects progressing and to discuss the Shire of Moora's forward priorities - because when we work together, we get the best outcomes for our regional communities. That was $800,000 for a childcare centre - fantastic! - under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The minister loved the program so much she voted to abolish it. It's gone. The entire $800,000 came from the previous government. Future or failureRegional Australians aren't easy to fool. They can smell the bulldust of those opposite from a mile away. In just a few months time, regional Australians will only need to ask themselves a few simple questions when it comes to judging this government: Am I better off under this Prime Minister? Is my family better off? Is Australia a safer and better place to live? Do I feel positive about the future of my community under the leadership of this Prime Minister? The answer to all those questions, I'm afraid, is going to be no because the cost of everything is going up, and we will be even worse off under a Labor-Greens government in the future. We have a government that is more focused on three-word slogans than it is on the future of the Australian public. Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities. - Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements. - Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley. - Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades. - Darren Chester visits Aussie Broadband’s Traralgon office, highlighting reliable telecommunications for Gippsland’s regional communities and businesses
Darren Chester met Aussie Broadband executives in Traralgon to discuss improving regional mobile coverage, faster internet speeds, telecommunications resilience, and investment in local jobs and skills development. - Darren Chester says growers and industry groups are concerned Labor's visa processing pause is creating uncertainty for farmers
Australian farmers warn delayed visa processing for seasonal and skilled workers could worsen labour shortages, disrupt harvests, reduce food production and push fresh produce prices higher for Australian families. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities. - Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support. - Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Agricultural Group on successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale
Darren Chester has praised the successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale, highlighting industry collaboration, innovation, productivity and the need to reduce red tape for farming families. - Darren Chester met Latrobe Health Assembly representatives to discuss tackling youth food insecurity, poor nutrition and regional health priorities
Gippsland MP Darren Chester is exploring funding for a Latrobe Valley initiative involving local health and education organisations to provide free healthy meals twice weekly, addressing student hunger, poor nutrition and wellbeing. - Darren Chester welcomes CBA Branch commitment, calls for stronger long-term regional banking protections across Gippsland
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s commitment to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while seeking stronger long-term protections for face-to-face banking services. - Darren Chester warns Sydney fire ant detection highlights biosecurity risks and urges swift action, surveillance and guaranteed eradication funding beyond 2027
Darren Chester has urged swift, coordinated action after red imported fire ants were detected in Sydney, warning of risks to agriculture and calling for stronger surveillance and guaranteed eradication funding beyond June 2027. - Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland. - Darren Chester praises Schoolworks’ Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar celebrating Gippsland authors, illustrators and community love of reading
Federal Member Darren Chester praised Schoolworks Supplies for hosting The Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar, featuring over 25 Gippsland authors and illustrators, free workshops, and celebrating local creativity, literacy and independent businesses. - Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures. - Darren Chester discusses democracy, civics and federal parliament with St Paul's Year 9 students in Traralgon
Darren Chester visited St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon, discussing civics, democracy, Parliament and community issues with engaged Year 9 students and encouraging young people to participate in Australia's democratic process. - Darren Chester welcomes Mallacoota students to Parliament House during Canberra visit, discussing democracy and the role of elected representatives
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Mallacoota P-12 College students to Parliament House during their Canberra visit, discussing Federal Parliament, democracy and the role of elected representatives. - Darren Chester joins Annabel Crabb for locally sourced Gippsland feast on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet series
Darren Chester will feature on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb, showcasing Gippsland produce and locally sourced food when the episode airs August 25. - Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities. - Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra. - Darren Chester encourages Gippslanders to capture region's beauty for the 2027 #lovegippsland Calendar Competition un 25 September 2026
Gippslanders are invited to enter the 2027 #lovegippsland photography competition, with 13 images selected for the calendar and entries closing September 25, 2026. - Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion. - Gemma Rendell and Darren Chester urge Gippslanders to add vegetables daily through new healthy eating campaign
The "Get the Edge. Eat More Veg" campaign launched in Sale, urging Gippslanders to add one extra vegetable served daily while supporting local growers, jobs and health. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Labor Backpacker Visa changes leave farmers facing worker shortages and application burden
The National Farmers’ Federation will lodge fast-track backpacker applications amid Working Holiday Maker cuts, as Coalition MPs criticise Labor’s changes and warn farmers face uncertainty securing seasonal workers during peak periods. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas. - Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns. - Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing. - Melina Bath seeks Labor explanation on Gippsland children face specialist dental service cuts, longer waits and costly travel for treatment
Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment. - Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects. - Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable. - Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity. - Sale coffee cup campaign spreads strong community message against domestic and family violence across local businesses
Sale's Rotary Club has launched a coffee cup awareness campaign against domestic and family violence, with MPs Darren Chester and Danny O'Brien urging businesses and residents to support the initiative. - Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities. - East Gippsland Agriculture Tour showcases innovation, resilience and collaboration across the region's diverse farming sector
ASAC members toured East Gippsland agricultural businesses, exploring sustainable farming, weed management, technology and dairy practices while strengthening industry connections and informing future regional agricultural priorities. - The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards. - Gippsland offers family-friendly stays, from coastal resorts and farm retreats to holiday parks and secluded cottages
Gippsland offers families diverse accommodation options, from resorts and self-contained cottages to farm stays, holiday homes and caravan parks, providing comfortable bases for beach trips, nature adventures and regional exploration. - Gippsland offers family-friendly stays, from coastal resorts and farm retreats to holiday parks and secluded cottages
Gippsland offers families diverse accommodation options, from resorts and self-contained cottages to farm stays, holiday homes and caravan parks, providing comfortable bases for beach trips, nature adventures and regional exploration. - Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development. - Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - Gippsland Water installs filter-to-waste system to better protect Maffra drinking water from contamination risks
Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at Maffra treatment plant, improving drinking water protection, reducing supply disruptions, and strengthening resilience against pollution, storms, bushfires and other water quality events. - Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding. - Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi. - Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing. - Gippsland community groups invited to apply for grants up to $20,000 under Stronger Communities Program Round 10 until 23 November 2026
Gippsland community organisations can apply for $2,500 to $20,000 grants under Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Programme, with $150,000 available for local infrastructure and social benefit projects. - Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3. - Melina Bath announces $53.6M boost to patient travel assistance for regional Victorians under Nationals-Liberal government
Melina Bath says a proposed $53.6 million boost to Victoria’s patient transport assistance would increase accommodation and travel reimbursements, easing healthcare costs for regional patients travelling long distances for specialist treatment. - Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028. - Latrobe Regional Gallery launches spring season with five exhibitions and live mural creation on 19 September 2026 In Morwell
Latrobe Regional Gallery will launch its Spring Season on Saturday, September 19, featuring five exhibitions and a live monumental mural by Japanese-Australian artist Twoone/Hiroyasu Tsuri during the Morwell event. - Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care.
|
|
