Victorian Labor fast tracks renewables, forgets social licence

Victorian Labor will fast track renewables projects in spite of community opposition through heavy handed new development rules, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Premier Jacinta Allan announced all new renewable projects in Victoria will be treated as “significant economic development”, railroading Mallee farmers and their communities and giving them no right of appeal.…

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Meta leaves regional media in the cold

Facebook owner Meta’s decision to stop paying news publishers for content should sound the alarm bell for regional media outlets, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. The former Coalition government passed legislation in 2021 requiring platforms like Meta to pay Australian news outlets for content shared on their platforms. Meta’s media payment deals were…

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Victims’ surging insurance costs need a public inquiry

Natural disaster victims’ allegations insurance companies have price gouged them need urgent investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Skyrocketing premiums during a cost-of-living crisis have hit the hip pocket of Mallee residents affected by fire and floods over the past 18 months, yet insurance companies…

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