Labor’s proposed Fresh Food Tax will funnel millions into Government coffers annually with no clarity how it will be implemented, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Labor plans to impose the new Biosecurity Protection Levy (BPL) from July 1st, despite the Bill not yet passing the Senate and just 7 Senate sitting days left. A…
DetailsOngoing bad policy by the Albanese Labor Government is crippling agricultural workforce and is yet another example of Labor’s war on productivity, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Looming 25 per cent visa fee rises and changes to UK backpacker rules to remove the 88-day regional work incentive from July 1, takes away critical…
DetailsLabor has let down local Governments by failing to deliver on its promise of increased funding, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. After initially stalling any funding increases by opening an Inquiry into Local Government Sustainability, the Labor-controlled committee responsible has had to extend the deadline for submissions to the end of May. “Pushing…
DetailsThe Albanese Labor Government’s revised Nature Positive proposals are only positive for bloated bureaucracy and more green tape for business, farmers and other job creators, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster. The second stage of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s ‘Nature Positive Plan’ creates a new Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a new organisation called…
DetailsThe Nationals’ public pressure applied to Woolworths and Coles is helping to keep shelf prices steady at the big supermarkets, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chair Allan Fels told the Senate Inquiry into grocery prices this week that the spotlight on two supermarket giants’ market power…
DetailsIndustry groups and Labor’s own hand-picked Productivity Commission Chair have already shot down Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s 2024-25 budget centrepiece, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Labor’s proposed Future Made in Australia Act claims to drive investment into new and existing manufacturing and clean-energy technology projects. “Economists have already labelled this proposal as inflationary,…
DetailsFederal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek mysteriously reinstated federal funding for 58 gigalitres of Victorian Murray Darling Basin Plan projects today in an embarrassing backdown, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. The Minister was withholding funding for Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects because Victoria had refused to join the NSW, Queensland and South…
DetailsPrime Minister Anthony Albanese’s “Future Made In Australia” speech today tries to snatch the ‘Made in Australia’ mantra The Nationals have made famous for decades, only to divert accountability for Labor’s own distractions and failures, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. “The Albanese Labor Government continues to be distracted and has wasted almost half…
DetailsThe Albanese Labor Government’s lack of action on the impending 3G network switch off is leaving Australians vulnerable, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Telstra will shut down its 3G network in June, with Optus to follow in September, raising health concerns about incompatible life-saving medical devices. “Many Australians rely on 3G-connected emergency pendants,…
DetailsLabor Agricultural Minister Murray Watt must support effective mouse controls for Mallee farmers ahead of cropping season, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Grains Producers Australia (GPA) is seeking approval for continued use of 50 gram per kilogram zinc phosphate baits through the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) after farmers were concerned…
DetailsLabor has been too slow to act on supermarket price gouging, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says as the Leader of the Opposition described the Prime Minister’s review as ‘Mickey Mouse’. Former Labor Minister Dr Craig Emerson’s interim report of the Review of the voluntary Food and Grocery Code of Conduct released its recommendations…
DetailsThe Allan Labor Government’s failure to be accountable for its actions to the federal COVID-19 inquiry shows they hold Victorians in contempt, Member for Mallee and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster said today. “The people of Mallee were treated disgracefully by the then Andrews Labor Government as they were roped into…
DetailsThe crisis engulfing Victorian regional health demonstrates the importance of holding Labor accountable and fixing primary and preventative healthcare, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster says. Regional Victorians’ lives will be at risk as local hospitals reportedly face “inevitable closures”, amalgamations or sweeping job losses after the Allan Labor Government’s order to…
DetailsOne Mallee shire’s road funding win today under a Coalition-era fund could be the last if Labor botches another grants rebranding process, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said. “The Albanese Labor Government must ensure the time management and guidelines under their new ‘Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP)’ will be suitable to fund…
DetailsMallee residents are skipping meals to make ends meet due to Labor’s spiralling cost-of-living crisis, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health and Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), many younger Australians and lower income households are spending up to one quarter of their net income…
Details