I rise to speak on the Appropriation (Interim) Bill 2020, the Appropriation (Parliament) (Interim) Bill 2020 and the State Taxation Acts Amendment (Relief Measures) Bill 2020 before us today. At the outset I would say that I am supporting these bills. The coronavirus has engendered a health and economic crisis which will have such a […]

Members Statement – Last Thursday the inspector-general of Murray-Darling Basin water resources, Mick Keelty, visited Shepparton to conduct one of his many town hall meetings. Approximately 200 people, predominantly farmers, attended and were largely impressed by his sincerity and frankness. Mr Keelty’s current inquiry, due by 31 March, is looking into the Murray-Darling Basin agreement to see if […]

Constituency Question – My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. Funding is scheduled to cease in June 2020 for the Goulburn Murray Valley regional fruit fly project, and my constituents want to know whether the Victorian state government will provide continued funding for this important project that ensures the security […]

Members Statement – Last week I joined Greater Shepparton Secondary College for their leaders’ investiture assembly and for the presentation of the badges to the school captains and leadership team. As we walked into the assembly the school jazz band was playing an excellent rendition of Valerie by Amy Winehouse. When the presentations got underway it was […]

I am pleased to rise and speak on this bill. This is an important bill that clarifies and strengthens the regulation of timber harvesting and illegal firewood collection in Victorian state forests, and it is amending a number of pieces of legislation. It responds to a number of concerns about the regulation of timber harvesting […]