DELIVER OUR PROMISED FIRE TRUCK
Dear Editor,
When the Shepparton Fire Station was informed that they would be receiving a new pumper platform fire truck, and that it would be arriving within weeks, firefighters at the station undertook the required specialised training in anticipation of the arrival of the new truck.
However, it was a shock then for our firefighters to be told that Fire Rescue Victoria had reallocated the specialised fire truck to Sunshine.
The risk assessment conducted identified Shepparton as one of two of the highest risk areas most in need of the specialised pumper platform truck and I urged the Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes to ensure that this truck be delivered to Shepparton.
The Victorian Branch Secretary from the United Fire Firefighters Union, Peter Marshall has not approved the transfer and insists that the truck be deployed back to Shepparton where it was promised.
It is critical that we have the resources that our region and firefighters need, and FRV must now confirm when the pumper platform truck will be delivered to Shepparton as first promised.
Sincerely,
Kim O’Keeffe MP
Member for Shepparton District
FINANCIAL INTERGRITY IN GOVERNMENT
Every Victorian deserves to know how, and where, their money is spent.
Integrity and transparency should be paramount, yet right now we are living through the wasteful, dishonest financial management of the Allan Labor Government.
The Nationals are making a stand with the freshly-released Our Plan For Financial Integrity.
The plan is simple: We will manage your money better so we can deliver what really matters to you.
In a first for any state, we will deliver a Charter for Budget Honesty, ensuring every budget is transparent with clear, enforceable rules that hold the government accountable for every dollar spent.
We will also give you the power to track your money, and where it’s spent, in real time through what we are calling a Public Expenditure Tracker. It’s your money and it should be your right.
Another cornerstone is an Intergenerational Report, akin to a financial roadmap, released every five years so future generations aren’t burdened by the decisions of today.
We’ll take away the financial tricks and hidden costs.
You deserve it.
Peter Walsh MP
Leader of The Nationals
UNLOCKING VICTORIA’S EXPORTS TO THE WORLD
Victoria is Australia’s leading exporter for food and fibre products, with sales representing more than a third of our state’s overall exports and supporting 330,000 jobs.
In 2022-23, Victoria’s food and fibre exports achieved a record $19.6B, up seven per cent from the previous year.
This is a real testament to our farmers, businesses and food manufacturers, who have all shown tremendous resilience to moderate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victoria’s products are exported to key international markets, including China, Japan, the United States, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and India.
Demand for grain, meat, dairy, horticulture, prepared foods, seafood, wine, animal fibre and forest products are all helping drive this growth.
That is why Australia has a lot to offer as a trusted and reliable trade and investment partner.
Importantly, Federal Labor is helping Victoria unlock new opportunities that will deliver more exports and create more jobs.
When the Albanese Government was elected two and a half years ago, there was $20B worth of trade impediments with the Chinese government.
That meant producers of barley, cotton, oaten hay, coal, meat products, copper ores, wine and timber logs had effectively been blocked.
With one in four Australian export dollars coming from trade with China, Federal Labor set out to stabilise this relationship with our country’s largest trading partner.
Today, less than $500M of those impediments remain, largely thanks to the Albanese Government’s calm and strategic response led by Minister for Trade, Don Farrell.
In great news, Australia recently secured a timetable for the return of live rock lobster into China by the end of the year.
Just last week, Federal Labor strengthened agricultural ties with China by signing a letter of intent on cooperation to explore more efficient trade of organic goods exports.
Australia is also boosting exports in the Middle East, securing a landmark trade and investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates in September.
This major deal will remove over 99 per cent of tariffs on Australian products and increase exports by almost $700M a year.
It will deliver benefits for farmers and food producers on products such as sheep meat, seafood, dairy, beef, lentils, nuts and steel.
With one in four Australian jobs relying on trade, Federal Labor is creating new opportunities for Victoria’s exporters, farmers, producers and businesses to diversify their markets.
And we will continue to ensure Victoria’s high-quality products can be enjoyed by the world, while delivering economic benefits and more jobs for the regions.
Senator Raff Ciccone
Federal Labor Senator for Victoria and Deputy Government Whip in the Senate
WHAT PROJECTS DO YOU WANT TO SEE FUNDED?
In the coming months, I will be pitching local projects to the Treasurer for funding in next year’s Victorian State Budget.
While there are so many incredible local initiatives in crucial need of funding, I am interested in hearing from you about anything that you would like to see for our region.
It could be anything. Some examples we’ve seen already include new schools, upgrades to existing infrastructure, updated facilities for our community groups and volunteers, and much more.
Our region deserves the best. I can’t wait to put forward our case for much-needed investment into our local towns.
If you want to have your say, please get in touch by visiting my Benalla office, emailing me at annabelle.cleeland@parliament.vic.gov.au, or by calling (03) 5762 1600.
Sincerely,
Annabelle Cleeland MP
Member for Euroa
