Wednesday 17 June 2026

Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster has backed the big effort by the ‘Northwest Nine’ to tell the Victorian Government they’re fighting for their communities as Labor seeks to industrialise Mallee.

“On Tuesday I met with the Northwest Nine Councils and I have to say, I was impressed.  They have put together a comprehensive North-Western Victoria Energy & Mining Impact & Readiness Strategy plan that the Allan Labor Government should have funded and provided, but they’ve done it because it matters,” Dr Webster said.

“Let me be really clear – councils have been innocent bystanders in the Allan Labor Government’s reckless rollout of renewables and railroading of Mallee farmland. .  They and their communities are the collateral damage because the Victorian government doesn’t respect or believe they exist.

“I back these councils and their communities and I say “Hey, Spring Street – we live here!”

“I applaud the Buloke, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Loddon, Northern Grampians, Swan Hill, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack councils for standing up for their communities.  I encouraged them to unite to strengthen their voice and fight for the best interest and benefit of their people.  Councils’ passion in the room on Tuesday for their communities was beautiful to see.

“I know this strategy has come at great cost when they can least afford it, battered by natural disasters and low rate bases.  They feel it is their duty to navigate what the Victorian government is doing TO them – not WITH them – to get the best outcome for their communities.”

“The Victorian Labor Government makes the decisions. Our communities live with the consequences”.

Dr Webster has committed to help the Northwest Nine – which represent 26 per cent of Victoria’s land area – to ensure they are heard, including next week in Canberra helping them get meetings with federal ministers.

“Ultimately, the Labor federal and state agenda has been to railroad regional communities for political targets they think inner-city people want. They are so wrong!” Dr Webster said.

The Federal electorate of Mallee covers more than one third of Victoria.

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