People across Horsham, Wimmera and Grampians regions produce extraordinary value for Victoria. Our farmers grow food and fibre, our businesses employ local people, hospitality and tourism businesses welcome Victorians to our amazing natural landscapes and our communities volunteer, innovate and contribute far beyond their size.

They deserve their fair share in return. For over 7 years that principle has driven my advocacy as Member for Mallee – indeed it’s why I stood for election in 2019, fed up with Mallee not getting our fair share.

In recent weeks I have fought in Canberra and the national media for our harvest workforce while Labor played migration policy games, opposed threats to productive Wimmera farmland and continued arguing that regional Australians deserve the healthcare, telecommunications and other infrastructure and services Melbourne people take for granted.

The Nationals for Regional Victoria’s Fair Share campaign goes hand-in-glove with my federal advocacy.  With the State Election on 28 November, the Victorian Nationals have pledged to guarantee regional Victoria receives at least 25 per cent of new infrastructure investment, reflecting the quarter of Victorians who live in our regions.

Labor’s neglect of our infrastructure is stark when you consider our appalling roads.  I shared a video on social media showing the appalling Calder Highway near Berriwillock.  After it gained five million views, roadworks are at last underway.  It shouldn’t take politicians naming-and-shaming to keep regional Victorians safe.

The Nationals’ $5 billion plan to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads, including eliminating one million potholes, is a issue of justice for regional Victorians.  

The Victorian Nationals have committed $54 million for councils to fix local roads and bridges, including $6 million each for Horsham Rural City and Northern Grampians Shire councils; a $40 million rural health workforce incentive scheme; $10 million more for Neighbourhood Houses; and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for Horsham.

Whether it is the Western Highway, a major road carrying grain to market, or healthcare in Horsham or infrastructure helping a small town thrive, country Victorians should not have to shout just to receive the basics and their fair share.

For real change, it is important voters put Labor last on the ballot paper.