Additional $55 million for safer communities

Applications are now open for round five of the Safer Communities Fund, with communities across Australia set to share in up to $55.1 million in grants to improve public safety and security. Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood said this boost in funding for local councils and community organisations will…

ACCC inquiry into water trading public forums

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced an inquiry into water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin. Public forums will be held in Mildura on the 8th of November and Kerang on the 12th of November. Member for Mallee, Anne Webster encourages interested parties and stakeholders including irrigators and other participants in the water…

Immediate financial assistance for Mallee

Drought-hit farmers in the Buloke, Yarriambiack, Swan Hill, Pyrenees, Mildura, and Gannawarra local government areas will be able to access one-off payments of $3,000 thanks to the Government’s Drought Community Support Initiative. Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the payments would provide immediate relief to some of the worst-hit farming families. “Registrations are now open…

Dairy Code of Conduct

Member for Mallee, Anne Webster said that by 1 January 2020 the Australian dairy industry will have a mandatory code of conduct, ahead of the timetable taken to the election. The mandatory code will improve the contractual arrangements between dairy farmers and dairy processors. “As the local member for Mallee, I understand the need for…

Regional Grant Opportunity awarded to Mallee Publishers

Four publishers across Mallee have been awarded a total of $360,328 to support the sustainability of the local publishing activities, including news gathering, production and distribution. These publishers are; Mildura weekly, Warracknabeal Herald, Buloke Times and the Sunraysia Daily. These four region publishers are among 62 small and regional publishers across Australia to share in…

Seasonal Labour Expo a valuable step to workforce solution

Farmers in Mallee will have direct access to department and labour hire industry representatives at the Sunraysia Seasonal labour Expo organised by the Seasonal Worker Programme representatives for Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd of October. Dr Anne Webster, Member for Mallee today welcomed the Sunraysia Seasonal Labour Expo saying “It is important that…

Regional airports program takes off

Regional Airport owners and operators will soon be able to apply for a share in $100 million of funding for safety upgrades as part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s new Regional Airports Program. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the guidelines are now available, giving…

Inspector-General sets up shop in Mildura

Mildura is set to become home to the Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources, with one of the two offices being set up in the city. Minister for Water Resources David Littleproud said the new office was a significant step that would restore confidence in delivery of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. “I’ve always said the…

Department of Agriculture local workforce consultation

Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster welcomes the commencement of stakeholder consultation into workforce shortages by the Department of Agriculture. The first consultation session will be held today in Mildura. “I have heard loud and clear from growers in Mallee that we are facing a catastrophic shortfall in workforce this season. I continue to lobby…