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Country Victoria Starved By State BudgetThe high taxing, high spending Labor Government has indulged in a pre-election spending spree that delivers very little to country Victoria. By Phillip Davis & Denis Napthine - 31st May 2006 - Back to News Country Victorians will be shocked to see today’s Labor Government repeating the same mistakes of the Cain/Kirner Government, sending Victoria back into debt of an additional $5.6 billion, spending record amounts and putting additional expenditure on the Victorian credit card.
Spending on primary industries has been cut by a whopping $28 million, in a move that has insulted farmers and country Victorians.
There is no new initiative to address the rural doctor shortage. Hospitals in south-west and south-east Victoria have missed out on funding, despite community expectations.
Country Victorians will be paying more in fire services levy, even though the Victorian Government cannot manage public land.
No financial support has been offered to country councils, who have been crying out for assistance with country road and bridge infrastructure. Labor obviously does not see road safety to be important in country Victoria, despite road and bridge infrastructure being identified by the Victorian Farmers Federation as a top budget priority.
Country councils have also struggled to keep community libraries afloat, but literacy in country Victoria is not a high priority for the Labor Government.
The re-announcement of free public transport for seniors on Sundays within the Melbourne CBD and regional cities is of no benefit to those living in country Victoria. Senior country Victorians are being unfairly discriminated against by the Labor Government.
No funds have been allocated to address the water crisis in Ballarat and Geelong, and the Labor Government has also ignored the need for urgent infrastructure in country Victoria’s irrigation districts to stop water seepage and evaporation.
The Government is splurging money on attracting tourists to Melbourne with nothing identified that will assist country tourism.
Nothing has been offered to the country towns across the length and breadth of Victoria which were promised reticulated natural gas in 2002. They have missed out. Similarly, there is no assistance for those communities who have found only half of their towns are being connected.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Peri Urban Councils Victoria warns fast-growing communities face car dependency due to poor public transport, urging government investment in reliable, frequent buses, better timetables, and long-term integrated transport planning. - Darren Chester warns Labor gun law changes unfairly target regions, distract from government extremism failures
Gippsland MP Darren Chester says Labor’s firearm law changes unfairly punish regional Australians, distract from failures tackling anti-Semitism and extremism, and won’t prevent terrorism like the Bondi attack tragedy violence. - Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection. - Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion. - Melina Bath honours Wonthaggi Rotary Club for 32 years recognising volunteers and strengthening Eastern Victoria
Melina Bath recognised Wonthaggi Rotary Club in parliament for 32 years celebrating local volunteers, presenting over 250 awards, and strengthening Eastern Victoria communities through service and dedication. - 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. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges MAV to demand transparency, accountability and community engagement in State planning decisions
Bass Coast Shire Council will urge MAV to demand greater transparency, accountability, and community consultation in State Government planning decisions, highlighting concerns over the Development Facilitation Program and local impacts. - Baw Baw Council secures $173,000 grant to launch annual Noojee Truffle Festival 2026
Baw Baw Shire Council has secured a $173,000 Victorian Government grant to launch a three-week Noojee Truffle Festival in 2026, boosting tourism, local produce, and sustainable economic opportunities. - Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria. - Martin Cameron demands Labor guarantee Traralgon PSOs won’t be removed amid redeployment to retail precincts
Martin Cameron has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee PSOs won’t be removed from Traralgon, warning redeployment to shopping centres could compromise safety on the region’s already under-resourced rail network. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance. - David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry. - Government was light on details about fuel and fertiliser plans, says Darren Chester
Darren Chester urges the Albanese government to ensure fuel and fertiliser prioritisation for agriculture and food production, warning supply disruptions from the Iran conflict threaten farmers, exports and Australian household budgets. - 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. - Melina Bath says Labor ignores known issues, worsening bushfire risk, blocking access and harming communities
A Gippsland Forestry Hub report criticises Allan government transport infrastructure failures, warning poor road and bridge conditions undermine bushfire preparedness, restrict access, delay firefighting response and increase risks to communities. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for decade-long failure to fund replacement CFA stations in Foster and Mirboo North
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for failing to replace outdated Foster and Mirboo North CFA stations, saying volunteers face unsafe conditions despite years of promises and growing community contributions. - Martin Cameron condemns Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, pledges action to combat knife crime
Martin Cameron condemned the Allan Labor government for blocking Jack’s Law, pledging to introduce it if elected, giving police powers to combat knife crime, following its success in other Australian states. - Latrobe City Council endorses priority advocacy projects to shape 2026–27 Federal Budget submission delegation
Latrobe City Council has endorsed priority advocacy projects to shape its 2026/27 Federal Budget submission, seeking targeted national investment to drive economic transition, infrastructure delivery, job creation and long-term regional growth. - Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety. - Tim Bull praises local police but urges stronger support and tougher charges for fleeing offenders
Liberal and Nationals plan promises 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and reopened stations, aiming to restore community safety and address rising crime across East Gippsland and Victoria. - Danny O'Brien condemns Labor for empty social housing amid growing waitlists and rental shortages in Gippsland
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for leaving social housing vacant as waitlists grow, citing fewer homes, shrinking rental availability, rising costs, and failed policies driving investment away in Gippsland South. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road speed limit instead of repairing dangerous regional road conditions
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road’s speed limit instead of repairing its deteriorating surface, calling for urgent action to improve regional road safety. - Albanese government limits tribunal powers, undermining veterans' rights and restricting reviews of military honours
The Albanese government has limited the Defence Honours Tribunal, banning reviews of actions over 20 years old, restricting veterans' appeals, and undermining independent recognition of historic military bravery. - Martin Cameron confirms Labor’s promised Kosciuszko and Bank Street underpass, planned for 2023, will no longer proceed
Traralgon students remain at risk crossing train tracks and busy roads after Labor abandons promised pedestrian underpass, with Nationals’ MP Martin Cameron urging urgent delivery of a safe solution. - Albanese government criticised for unfair Australia-EU trade deal undermining farmers and dairy producers’ rights
The Albanese government’s Australia-EU trade deal is criticised for weak market access, unfair geographic restrictions, and disadvantageous Australian farmers, particularly dairy and red meat producers, according to industry leaders. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for funding maintenance at Sale College instead of new campus
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for allocating $273,175 in maintenance to Sale College, arguing funds should instead deliver the long-promised new consolidated campus the community has campaigned for since 2017. - 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. - Danny O'Brien visits Gippsland schools honouring Anzac Legacy by planting 100 lone pines across Victoria
Gippsland schools joined the "100 Lone Pines Project," with Danny O’Brien delivering seedlings, connecting students to Gallipoli history and honoring the Anzac legacy through planting descendant pines across Victoria. - Melina Bath condemns Allan government’s ‘land grab,’ opposing farmland seizure before environmental approvals complete
The Allan Labor government passed laws allowing energy companies to compulsory acquire farmland before approvals, prompting Nationals’ Melina Bath to condemn the "land grab" and call for proper consultation and safeguards. - Danny O'Brien calls on Allan government to support Nyora early childhood education centre, improving access and community connections
The Nationals urge the Allan government to collaborate with Nyora community and education stakeholders to establish a local early childhood centre, improving access, school transitions, enrolments, and long-term community sustainability. - Tribunal warns Albanese government's bill removes veterans' rights to review bravery awards and undermines Defence Honours system integrity
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Latrobe City Council approves funding for three major events, boosting tourism and generating over $6.5M economic impact
Latrobe City Council will fund three major events, including ProMX, Football Victoria Championships, and Junior International Tennis, generating over $6.5 million economic impact and boosting local tourism and community engagement. - 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. - Tim Bull slams government over firewood shortages, fuel loads and lack of practical solutions
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has slammed government policy for firewood shortages, warning rising bush fuel loads pose serious risks, calling for extended collection areas, longer seasons and practical fire management. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to advance Nyora early childhood education centre, ensuring local families equitable kindergarten access
The Nationals urge the Allan government to partner with the Nyora community, enabling a local early childhood education centre for equitable, convenient kindergarten access for rural families. - David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes.
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