A MOTION moved by Wendy Lovell, the Member for Northern Victoria, has been successful in securing a regional sitting of the Legislative Council in a flood-impacted community.
Ms Lovell’s motion was passed unanimously in the Council recently, with the location and date of the regional sitting to be determined by Parliamentary officials after consultation with flood-affected local government authorities.
A continuous advocate for regional sittings, during the last Parliamentary term, Ms Lovell was successful in moving a similar motion to hold a Legislative Council sitting in a bush fire affected area that led to the Council sitting in Bright in April 2021.
Ms Lovell said the challenges of flood recovery would continue and it was important those challenges continued to be brought to the attention of all Members of Parliament.
“The regional sitting will be an effective way for Members of the Legislative Council to hear directly from victims of the October 2022 floods on what further support is needed on the ground,” she said.
“A regional sitting of the Council in a flood affected local government area will also provide an economic boost for local communities as they recover and rebuild from the devastating flood event and educational opportunities for schools and community members.”
She said regional sitting will give flood affected communities direct access to all Members of the Legislative Council including Government, Opposition and Cross bench members. It would ensure MP’s who may never visit our region gain a first-hand understanding of the many challenges flood affected communities face as they recover and rebuild.
Details for the regional sitting is yet to be decided, however, it must occur before April 2024 and sit for one day in a a flood affected community in central northern Victoria.
