Charlton child care in limbo
Charlton families have been left in the lurch with the Buloke Shire’s exclusion from the Federal Government’s Community Child Care Fund (CCF). Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, has written to Early Childhood Education Minister, Anne Aly, urging her to intervene in Charlton’s Child Care Desert.
Mallee wind erosion annual wrap and webinar
Agriculture Victoria’s Monitoring Wind Erosion in the Victorian Mallee survey data summary for 2022 is now available online in the lead up to a webinar on June 13, which will present current wind erosion survey results and the seasonal outlook.
Senator speaks on the “Voice”
Alison McEwen. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Senator for NT, addressed the Victorian Nationals State Conference held in Creswick ... The attendees were interested to hear that it is estimated that large numbers of the population do want the indigenous First Nations people to be included in the Preamble of the Constitution! This statement coming from an indigenous Senator who is a member of the Nationals, who in turn are saying Vote No to the Voice, was a surprise. Jacinta said this is the most divisive referendum ever held.
Another rushed change to Interconnector west
The Victorian Government has taken another step to accelerate the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project at the expense of Mallee landholders. "State Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has used her powers to order the Australian Energy Market Operator AEMO to proceed with another new preferred route for the project, Option 5A, following weeks of tokenistic and rushed consultation that has frustrated concerned farmers and communities," says Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster.
Budget holes, crumble roads
“We don’t drive on the left side of the road, we drive on what’s left of them”. That is the strong message from the Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, after more roads funding cuts in a brutal State Budget. Road maintenance funding has been slashed by 25 per cent from 2022 to 2023. In total, it has been cut a whopping 45 per cent since 2020.
Stop horsing about, AEMO
Dear Sir, Despite AEMO’s best efforts to tick the box and grant a submission extension period, that hidden in the fine print was the extension was only for VFF members, AEMO closed their submission on the 5.4.2023 and then gave a selective extension of 13 days ... Quit horsing around AEMO. It is time for ANSWERS!
Beanies may be a life changer
This is the ninth consecutive year of the FightMND movement, and for this year, for teacher Kim Griffiths and the Year 12 Donald High School girls, it’s personal. Tony Goode was a vital part of the heart of the school. For this year, as it was last year, the funds raised from the FightMND beanies and socks will be in honour of him.

