Sheed warns local businesses will close without JobKeeper changes

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed MP has called on the Federal Government to change JobKeeper 2.0 eligibility requirements for regional Victoria, warning the economic outcome will be dire without more latitude.

“Unless we can get a better set of rules in place for the new JobKeeper provisions at the end of September, I’m hearing from local businesses that some will not be able to survive the latest round of lock-downs,” Ms Sheed said.

Under current arrangements, the JobKeeper extension will be based on turnover in the June and September quarters for 2020.

“Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hinted this morning that the Commonwealth Government is open to changing that to just the September quarter for businesses and not-for-profits in light of these new lock-downs in Victoria,” Ms Sheed said.

“No-one would deny that Victorian businesses are suffering more than any other in the country due to the latest outbreak and the necessary need for lock-down measures which I fully support.

“But it also needs to be acknowledged that many of us in regional Victoria are effectively collateral damage for what is going on in Melbourne. Greater Shepparton has one active case and my community has shown a fierce respect for the social distancing rules and lock-down measures which are clearly working here.”

Stage Three lockdown rules due to be enforced in Greater Shepparton later in the week will have a devastating effect on the local economy, according to Ms Sheed.

“We already have the highest unemployment rate in regional Victoria. Our local economy has been severely impacted by the first round of lock-downs. We need all the support we can get and easing the JobKeeper 2.0 eligibility requirements is one of the most obvious and easiest to implement.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed salutes new alcohol pregnancy warning labelling

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has welcomed the decision by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to enforce visible pregnancy health labelling on all alcohol beverage containers warning against the dangers of drinking while pregnant.

“The research is very clear – any amount of alcohol consumed while pregnant can have a detrimental life-long impact on the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) reportedly impacts five per cent of new-borns per year. This is unacceptable,” Ms Sheed said.

The Forum on Food Regulation (FOFR) Ministers met last Friday to decide on this important issue. More than 3700 community leaders and advocates and 150 organisations had called on the Food Forum Ministers to support a visible, red, white and black health warning on alcohol products.

“The concerns of the alcohol industry were considered, but the cost of requiring the implementation of this labelling paled compared to the social and economic impact of one in twenty babies suffering from FASD, according to Ms Sheed. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause brain damage in unborn babies and can also lead to a range of other birth and developmental problems. It is entirely preventable but there is insufficient education and knowledge about the prevention of it,” Ms Sheed said.

“Just recently, in the Victorian Parliament, I called for the introduction of such labelling. That we finally have a result is testament to the work of many hard-working individuals and groups across the country, including the patron of NOFASD Dame Quentin Bryce, and I salute them all.”

The vote to introduce the new labelling was a close call, Ms Sheed noted.

“I would particularly like to thank the Victorian Government for standing up to the Federal Government and those states that voted against this important change.

“A new label alone will not eliminate FASD in our communities. However, it is an important part of the required prevention and education approach. There is still a great deal of work to be done in order to support those vulnerable to FASD, but this is a step in the right direction. It says we put women and children first.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed welcomes upgrades of local social housing

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has welcomed Victorian State Government investment in upgrading locally held social housing stock and public and private investment in new stock.

Minister for Housing Richard Wynne MP confirmed to Ms Sheed this week 71 homes will be upgraded over the next two years, with planning for an original 33 properties increased by an additional 38 under the Building Works program in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“This is a very worthwhile investment, particularly in the current context. Upgrades not only improve the quality of life for those relying on social housing but inject funds into the local building industry,” Ms Sheed said.

Earlier questions of the Housing Minister had identified 29 unused government-held properties in the Shepparton region and Ms Sheed said she hoped this number would be dramatically reduced by the extra spending.

“We have too many unused housing units in my electorate. It is unfortunate that people are going homeless while properties sit empty.”

Minister Wynne also confirmed 10 new homes would be funded through the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund.

“We’re seeing quite a bit of badly needed investment in new social housing funded both by the public and private sectors. The Peter and Lyndy White Foundation are to be commended for their investment which will reportedly deliver up to 45 new homes.  The Haven Mooroopna development will deliver an extra 36 homes and Winteringham has its development of around 30 homes,” Ms Sheed said.

“My office has identified our region needs around 50 new social housing units per year to combat homelessness and lower housing affordability for low income earners and this investment goes a long way to meeting that goal.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed welcomes renewed fruit fly control funding

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has welcomed today’s announcement by the Victorian State Government to continue funding fruit fly control measures to a total of $1.72 million for the 2020/21 financial year.

“We were worried about the prospect of funding for this import measure ceasing last month,” Ms Sheed said.

“Fruit fly threatens the production of over 455,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables susceptible to the pest, over $777 million of annual regional produce which accounts for 44 per cent of Victoria’s production.”

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes’ announcement of $522,800 for Moira Shire and the Goulburn Murray Valley Regional Fruit Fly Project is an important investment for the region, according to Ms Sheed.

“The Independent Member for Mildura Ali Cupper and I have both lobbied on this issue and I’m sure she will welcome the $511,900 investment her own area will be receiving,” Ms Sheed said.

“The loss of this investment could have had a very harmful effect on one of the most important agricultural sectors in the State of Victoria.”

The late nature of the announcement was concerning, according to Ms Sheed, as was the lack of recurrent funding.

“I am concerned we waited until the last minute, and I hope we don’t have to go through this lobbying process again next year,” Ms Sheed said.

“For now, I am satisfied the Andrews Government has recognised the importance of combatting fruit fly with this substantial investment.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed calls for JobKeeper to be extended in Greater Shepparton

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has welcomed reports Prime Minister Scott Morrison is proposing to extend JobKeeper payments in some regional areas. Ms Sheed has called on Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum to argue the case in Canberra to include the Greater Shepparton region in any such extension.

“In April, my electorate reportedly had the third highest unemployment rate in the country. It is shocking to contemplate how high that rate could go if JobKeeper suddenly cuts out in September as planned,” Ms Sheed said.

Mr Morrison made the JobKeeper announcement when campaigning for the Eden-Monaro byelection on Tuesday, according to The Age.

“I would hate to think this was just a campaign election promise to be discarded after polls close in Eden-Monaro on Saturday week,” Ms Sheed said.

“The entire country is hurting but as the Prime Minister said some areas, particularly regional areas, are hurting more than others. Greater Shepparton has been badly affected. Our extremely successful events culture has been decimated doing enormous harm to our local hospitality and accommodation industries.

“Our unemployment rate has soared. To get back on our feet we need all the help we can get and the Prime Minister will find few regional areas more deserving of an extended JobKeeper program.”

The looming September economic “cliff” is very concerning, according to Ms Sheed.

“You’ll find few critics of the federal government’s JobKeeper and JobSeeker responses that have kept many individuals, families, businesses and entire regional economies on life-support during the worst of the COVID-19 lock down measures,” Ms Sheed said.

“To suddenly remove that protection in very vulnerable areas such as my electorate could invite disaster. I implore the Prime Minister to extend JobKeeper in Greater Shepparton.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed regales against Victorian Parliament closure

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna gave an impassioned speech to the Victoria Legislative Assembly on Thursday morning, demanding the Parliament resume sitting as soon as possible rather than the Andrews Government timetable of returning on August 4.

“I think we should be coming back. I think for those of us in the community who are in regional areas it is sometimes very hard to get the connectivity that you need with government,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed spoke at length about the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on regional Victoria.

“Our communities have been plunged into the worst crisis they have ever experienced, and that has had an amazing impact … there are a lot of other people in the community who are desperate to keep going …they need their businesses to open, they need to re-employ people.

“Everyone has that fear of JobKeeper and JobSeeker finishing in a few months’ time. What will that mean? They have been incredible buffers to the reality of this absolute crisis and pandemic that we are in at the moment.”

Under such circumstances it is vital the Victorian Parliament keep sitting to allow members to bring the concerns and needs of their constituents to the government, according to Ms Sheed.

“For us to now leave this place and not come back until August, to stick to a timetable that was set in different times is to me a failure on all of us,” Ms Sheed said.

“I am not here to talk about the politics of it; I am talking about what our community would expect. They are all out there trying to cope, trying to live on what is a lot less money. We are so privileged that we are in this place and that we are fully employed and that we have the privilege of looking after our communities and our electorates.

“I think the community expects us to be in this place and to be not only seen to be working hard but to actually be working hard, because nobody else is taking holidays. We cannot go overseas; we cannot do the things that normal life would have led us to so in a time like this we need to be at work.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed calls for locally led recovery

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has asked businesses, individuals and families in her electorate to think and shop locally as the economy recovers in the aftermath of strict lock-down measures.

“We all looked after each other by following the lock-down measures in our individual ways, now it’s time to look after each other again as we return to a more normal footing,” Ms Sheed said.

“Every dollar spent locally helps local business, local jobs and the local economy through this incredibly challenging time.”

Along with calling for individuals and families to prioritise the local economy, Ms Sheed is asking businesses, both those based in the Shepparton District and those with a local presence, to look to goods and services available in the region.

“Many may be surprised what sort of professional services are on offer at our doorstep,” Ms Sheed said.

“Last year for my second term, I set about reforming and refreshing my office’s communications. The prospect was quite daunting when it appeared most of the services on offer such as website hosting and design are clustered in Melbourne,” Ms Sheed said.

“The quotes were high and, as a relatively small client, the level of attention less than ideal. I don’t have the resources of the big political parties who dictate a lot of this type of material from a head-office somewhere in the city.”

Ms Sheed investigated if the necessary communications services could be sourced locally.

“We needed a new online host with technical support, and new website design, both technically and creatively. I’m pleased to say we were able to partner with a very capable small local business for each of those services right here in Shepparton.

“I encourage every local business sourcing goods and services to look to our home region in the first instance. You may be surprised by what fantastic partnerships are available, as I was.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Transparency is key to confidence in the water market

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Irrigators need a transparent water market to level the playing field and be confident they are not being gamed, according to Independent MP for the District of Shepparton Suzanna Sheed MP.
“Water entitlements are a property right, no different to land ownership,” Ms Sheed said. “So, it should be just as easy to find out who owns what, where and how much, and the trading history.”
“Claims that animal rights or environmental activists will somehow use water ownership information to interfere with farms are overblown.”

Water entitlements are not tied to land, so do not necessarily identify farm locations, according to Ms Sheed. Water use is tightly regulated and monitored, the environment owns 28 per cent of entitlements and irrigators are highly efficient water users. Extreme actions such as farm invasions are illegal.

Ms Sheed said the Victorian Government must ensure the water market is working in the best interests of all irrigators, large and small.

Concerns about brokers abusing transparency to target vulnerable irrigators are valid, and any such behaviour should be reported and punished. Unlike real estate agents, there is minimal regulation on the behaviour of water brokers, and it is about time governments did something about this.

Ms Sheed urged the Victorian Government to look past those trying to stoke unfounded fears about water owners and users’ privacy.

“We need total transparency on entitlement and allocation accounts. It’s the only way to get the market working for everyone, and not just the big end of town,” she said.

“The risk of market failure is acute, especially in droughts. The lack of transparency on ownership and transactions just makes it worse.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed celebrates funding for new world class school

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed today thanked Premier Daniel Andrews and Education Minister James Merlino for delivering on their promise to fund Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s new state-of-the-art campus.

“It’s still sinking in and I would like to thank the Premier and Minister for keeping their word and funding this fantastic new campus,” Ms Sheed said.

“Both have visited our region numerous times, and both have sat down with parents, carers, students and teachers. By delivering this $119 million – around $20 million more than originally flagged I might add – together with $21.5 million in last year’s budget, they have demonstrated they understand the needs of our community, the need to super-charge state secondary education in our region to create better pathways and equality of outcomes for some of the most needy students in Victoria.”

Launched in April 2017, the funding announcement forms another milestone in the Shepparton Education Plan, a decade long strategy to revolutionise state education in the Shepparton region.

“This plan is a very deliberate and methodical overhaul of state education in my electorate which targets every level of development, from early childhood through to Year 12 and beyond,” Ms Sheed said.

“We all know why we needed this transformation. For decades, outcomes were not good enough and our state students were neglected for far too long.

“All of that is changing now. The Mooroopna Integrated Early Learning Centre is under construction. Greater Shepparton Secondary College is up and running and now its campus is under construction. The tertiary pathways are expanding. Soon state students in Shepparton will have the kind of opportunities once reserved for their metropolitan counterparts.

“This is a great time for the region and I sincerely thank everyone involved for their persistent advocacy and support.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed calls for government support of regional universities

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Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on both the Victorian State and Federal Governments to support regional university campuses impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“In discussions with university leadership, I have been staggered to learn how dire the financial position of these vital institutions has become due to the current crisis,” Ms Sheed said.

“They have reportedly lost hundreds of millions of dollars from their annual budgets and are facing critical funding decisions. We cannot allow this situation to damage the extremely important task of training and educating high-skilled workers in regions such as my electorate.”

Many years of careful planning and work to provide first-class tertiary education pathways in Victoria’s regions is being placed at risk, according to Ms Sheed.

“We’ve long known we have difficulty retaining professionals in the regions and we also know one of the best ways to attract and keep professionals, such as health workers, paramedics, social workers, doctors, nurses and teachers, is to train them here. They come from our community or become part of the community and they stay,” Ms Sheed said.

“La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne both offer education and training in Shepparton and both have created a fantastic program where young people in my electorate can study medicine locally and receive their full qualifications, going on to work at GV Health if they wish. We know this system is working. I would be devastated to see such a program and others like it put at risk by this sudden funding crisis.”

Universities are not eligible for the Federal Government’s Jobkeeper program. Without Jobkeeper one university alone with links to the Shepparton region will face the loss of 600 to 800 jobs or up to a quarter of all staff across its entire organisation, according to information supplied to Ms Sheed.

“Across the entire sector, a loss of more than 20 per cent of staff will severely impact the ability of our tertiary institutions to deliver quality teaching and training in both the metropolitan and regional areas but I expect the regions will be particularly hard hit considering their smaller campus sizes and lower resistance to cuts,” Ms Sheed said.

“The Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has been demanding the Federal Government extend Jobkeeper to universities and I strongly lend my support to her position.

“I will also be investigating how the Victorian State Government can get behind regional campuses. We cannot allow the Coronavirus Pandemic to destroy the ability of regional Victorians to train for high-skilled positions in their own communities allowing them to go on to contribute to the social and economic health of those communities. It is very clear that in the years ahead we will need a highly educated and skilled workforce to deal with the human and economic fallout of this pandemic.”

ENDS

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Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
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Get in touch with Suzanna

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5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
T 03 5831 6944   F 03 5831 6836
E suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

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