Letter to Editor: Action to combat ice in regional Victoria

Dear Editor, In my travels across regional Victoria, I have seen and heard first-hand from families and communities affected by the drug ice. Police, paramedics and hospital staff confronted with violent behaviour by users; families coming to terms with previously even-tempered loved ones becoming unrecognisable strangers; school students experiencing anxiety because family members are addicts;…

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Media release: Nearly $5 million to go to community projects across Indi

Nearly five million dollars will go towards community projects across the Indi electorate boosting local jobs and infrastructure, Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, said today. Nationals Leader, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Assistant Minister Michael McCormack announced $293 million for projects that were successful under Round…

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Media release: Regional Victoria to benefit from innovation opportunities

The Liberal-Nationals government’s new Innovation and Science Agenda will deliver exciting opportunities for regional Victoria, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said. “The Agenda’s range of new initiatives include assistance for local business to innovate and grow, support for entrepreneurs to back their ideas and get access to the capital they need, and closer connections between industry…

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Media release: Senate to investigate ABC’s commitment to

Pic source: ABC local radio A senate inquiry will be held into how the Australian Broadcasting Corporation delivers services in regional Australia, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, announced today. Senator McKenzie this week introduced a private senator’s bill, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015, following concerns regarding recent regional programming changes and…

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Media release: Water Act improvements deliver greater certainty for Victoria

Pic source: murrayriver.com.au The Australian Government today introduced the Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 to reduce red tape and ensure the Water Act 2007 more effectively supports the delivery of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, and Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said the…

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Speech: Senator’s bill seeks stronger commitment by ABC to regional communities

Pic source: ABC Radio Australia Senator McKENZIE: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015 seeks to clarify the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) mandate in its role as a public broadcaster. In particular, the Bill implements guiding principles, reporting requirements and practical mechanisms for the Corporation to be able uphold this mandate.…

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Speech: fixing Labor’s costly education mess

Pic source: acci.asn.au Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (13:11): The Education and Employment Legislation Committee, which I chair, yesterday tabled its report on the Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Reform) Bill 2015. I am incredibly proud of Minister Birmingham's and Minister Hartsuyker's absolute determination to clean up the mess left by the poor regulatory environment that…

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Letter to Editor: Liberal-Nationals deliver improved foreign ownership scrutiny

Pic source: econews.com.au Dear Editor, Victorians will welcome the passage of legislation in parliament this week that will ensure a better oversight of foreign purchases of agricultural land. It formalises a new register of foreign ownership of agricultural land, and lowers the screening thresholds for foreign purchases of agricultural land and agribusiness by private investors…

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