Politics

Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish questioned State Education Minister James Merlino about children returning to school in Term 4, when State Parliament sat on Friday (Sep. 18). “Parents want to their kids back at school for the first day of term 4, which experts say can be done with a COVID-safe plan,” Ms McLeish said.“Why is

Bayswater MLA Jackson Taylor says he has used the lockdown time productively, making 6000 phone calls to local residents. “In the last few weeks I have personally picked up and I have made about 6000 phone calls within my community, and yes, absolutely—there is frustration,” Mr Taylor told the Legislative Assembly on Friday (Sep. 18).

Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish says that rural areas of the Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges do not want to be classified as metropolitan communities. In State Parliament last Thursday (Sep. 17), Ms McLeish addressed a question to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews: “Parts of Yarra Ranges and Nillumbik councils are very much rural—people live on farms and

Former Nillumbik Mayor Cr Peter Clarke has announced that he will be not be re-standing at next month’s municipal elections. “I will not be seeking re-election in Nillumbik at this year’s October elections and I encourage the next Wingrove Councillor to plan for our future, care for the environment and our residents in an economically

Mount Waverley MLA Matt Fregon has been ‘removed’ as an Acting Speaker of State Parliament. Speaker Colin Brooks told the Legislative Assembly last Thursday: “I wish to advise the house that under standing order 20 I have tabled my warrant removing the member for South Barwon and the member for Mount Waverley from the panel

Bundoora MLA Colin Brooks had thoughts for two special groups in last Thursday’s sitting of State Parliament. “I would to like to make a few comments around the tragic explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4 that killed more than 200 people and injured many more,” Mr Brooks said. “On behalf of the

Victorian MLC Rod Barton says that sole trader businesses have fallen through the cracks in this pandemic, and need more help. “Mostly, the distinct lack of business support appears to be because these businesses do not always employ staff in the traditional sense ,” Mr Barton said. “Except for this fact, many run profitable, legitimate

Plans to increase the wait time to up to six months for unemployment benefits is another cruel blow to those who have become jobless during the pandemic, says McEwen MHR Rob Mitchell. Mr Mitchell said the Morrison Federal Government confirmed it would press ahead with legislation to make Australians applying for the unemployment payments wait

Union politics is jeopardising food security at a time of crisis, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. Ms McLeish is standing with her colleagues to defend the agriculture industry against a union call to end the Working Holiday Maker Visa. If the union is successful, backpackers will be unable to work, leaving farmers without their major

North Central Review Pty Ltd will receive up to $119,410 under a Liberal Federal Government grant . This grant was announced this morning by the Australian Media and Communications Authority. The North Central Review, owned by the Mott family of Whittlesea and Wallan, will receive the money to engage a digital marketing officer and to