Public submissions have opened for the Coalition Government’s review of regional education. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the announcement was an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to ensure regional, rural and remote students not only achieve success at school, but go on to further study, training and employment. “This independent review offers an…
Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie today met with the Mayor of Indigo Shire, Jenny O’Connor in the first of a series of meetings with Councils on the government’s decentralisation agenda. Regional cities are often seen as the only beneficiaries of a decentralisation agenda. However this is not that case and today highlighted that all can…
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce hit the nail on the head when talking about decentralisation: “I’m working on moving agricultural government agencies to where boots hit the dirt in our bush centres but that’s only the start.” National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said what has to be realised with the decentralisation push is that…
Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are arresting more criminals and seizing more illicit drugs than ever before, according to a new report by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie welcomed today’s release of the Illicit Drug Data Report 2015-16, which provides government, law enforcement and stakeholders with a…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said today a $140 million joint investment in the North east Rail Line will deliver more reliable services for people living in the Wodonga area. The boost to local rail services is part of a Federal Government $1.52 billion investment in infrastructure in Victoria to ease congestion and provide…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed the passing of the Australian Education Amendment Bill for schools funding reform which will benefit all regional students. “The new Bill ensures a fairer, needs-based funding arrangement and removes the special deals and complexities from the previously inherited model from Labor. “I am delighted that the new…
The Senate Education and Employment Committee today tabled its report into the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017 which clearly demonstrated strong support from the public and independent school system. National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie and Committee Chair said the overwhelming number of submissions to the Inquiry has been favourable and on balance far superior…
The Labor dominated Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee’s report in to decentralisation has proven to be what everyone expected, a political excise with more holes than a Swiss cheese. National’s Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the majority report is unbalanced, selectively quoting wide ranging views on complicated issues to give a skewed view…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today strongly supported the Federal Government move to establish its own inquiry into decentralisation following Labor’s discredited Senate hearing. “That Inquiry held only one hearing, in Townsville and rejected my calls for further regional hearings to give local councils and community groups the chance to make a submission. “Eighty-five…
Federal Labor tried and failed to block the Government’s Gonski needs-based funding plan which passed in the House of Representatives tonight. National's Senator for Victoria, Senator McKenzie said the Government’s needs-based funding reforms had been endorsed by David Gonski himself and promoted initially by Labor when in Government with their largely un-funded Gonski model. “We’re…