One way I can ensure over 120,000 enrolled Mallee voters are heard in Canberra is through Mallee’s Biggest Survey, which is out now in local letterboxes. You can also complete the Survey online at annewebster.com.au.  The Survey includes over 30 questions to answer on a broad range of topics and – importantly – if you get your survey in by 18 July you could win a new Apple iPad (A16) 11inch 128GB.  That’s why the survey asks for your contact details, which will be kept confidential.

Wimmera residents are struggling with very poor state of local roads including a neglected Western Highway.  Very little has been done on your roads on Labor’s watch and, worse still, local roads will soon suffer further with the Albanese Government soon axing the federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program the Coalition created in Government.  Shires loved ‘LRCI’ because it gave them money - no strings attached - to spend on roads and priority projects.

As the new Shadow Minister for Local Government regional shires across the nation are telling me they are struggling to be financially sustainable.  Victorian Government one-off rate relief for drought-stricken farmers is a welcome but short term solution, and I’ve called on the Albanese Government to restart the unfinished federal inquiry into council sustainability.

Wherever you look, whether its residential aged care, home care services or childcare, it’s getting hard to find services closer to home.  The Albanese Government recently pushed back the start date of compliance with their new Aged Care reforms after I – and my Coalition colleagues – warned time and again that regional aged care services could not implement important new expectations without support.  Older Australians deserve the best in their later years but many risk going without help at home as, sadly, I see services struggling across Mallee.

On childcare, after the horrific abuse allegations in childcare services, we in the Coalition Opposition will work with the Albanese Government to reform the law and put children’s safety first.

I’d value your thoughts through Mallee’s Biggest Survey and you are always welcome to email me at anne.webster.mp@aph.gov.au.