Live cattle industry vindicated – Government will not appeal Federal Court Live Export decision

The Nationals Senate team has praised the Australian Government’s common sense  decision not to appeal the Federal Court’s decision in Brett Cattle Company Pty Ltd v Minister for Agriculture [2020] FCA 732. Attorney General Christian Porter tonight (July 22) confirmed the Australian Government would not appeal this decision. “The Nationals see the decision by Justice…

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Regional Victorians need assurance Premier is serious about enforcing Melbourne lockdown

Regional Victorian communities demand an iron-clad assurance from the Victorian Premier that Melbourne and Mitchell Shire’s Restricted Area lockdown is being enforced. Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie said mayors from across northern Victorian border communities highlighted a range of issues the state border closure has caused for their communities. However, the most concerning matter facing…

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$2 Billion skills package to deliver economic recovery and growth in regional Victoria

The Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities. The new JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for tens of thousands of apprentices in jobs across Australia, including country Victoria by subsidising their…

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Regional Victoria will benefit from $1 billion investment in regional higher education

Students and businesses in regional Victoria would benefit from the Government’s investment of $1 billion in regional higher education since 2016. Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the Liberal and Nationals Government provided an additional $400 million for regional and rural higher education in its recent Job-ready Graduates package. Senator McKenzie said students in…

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NSW-Vic border closure: One size doesn’t fit all

Simplified cross-border access for farmers, freight operators and local communities need to be maintained, argues Bridget McKenzie. BRIDGET McKENZIE, The Weekly Times July 13, 2020 THERE would be few people who don’t feel genuine concern for Melbourne and agree closing off affected COVID-19 areas is the right move. Isolated outbreaks require swift, decisive action on…

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Lack of evidence for 50km local permit

The 50km border community zone is impractical, lacks thought and shows zero consideration the impact this arbitrary figure will cause to border-based communities undertaking daily life.  I call on the NSW and Victorian Premiers to expand this to 100km and given there is no reference to a 50km zone around border communities in the NSW Government’s Public…

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Helping small business lower power bills

As the economy recovers from COVID19, the Liberal and Nationals Government is helping small businesses to lower their power bills. From 6 July, small businesses across Australia can apply for a share in $9 million of grants under the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program. Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said small businesses are key…

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Additional financial counselling services in bushfire affected areas

Bushfire affected regions of Victoria will share in more than $294,000 additional funding from the Liberal and Nationals Government to increase access to financial counselling services. The financial support is part of part of an additional $3.5 million allocated to deliver ongoing support to communities ravaged during the recent bushfire season. Nationals Senator for Victoria…

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