Member for Mallee John Forrest doesn't support the "School Kids Bonus." Read More
Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest has been criticised for not supporting Labors "School Kids Bonus"
The Nationals Member says the bonus is a last minute attempt to mask the damage of the carbon tax on Mallee families.
He says while parents might receive it now, their kids will have to pay it back in years to come.
He says believes in an Australia that doesn't rely on handouts.
"I don't support it, because I don't believe it's fair, there's no reconciliation and no accountability that the money is spent on school expenses," he said.
"It's not consistant with an egalitarian Australia, and it's not good governance either, so I don't support it."
14/05/2012 16:02
The Nationals Member says the bonus is a last minute attempt to mask the damage of the carbon tax on Mallee families.
He says while parents might receive it now, their kids will have to pay it back in years to come.
He says believes in an Australia that doesn't rely on handouts.
"I don't support it, because I don't believe it's fair, there's no reconciliation and no accountability that the money is spent on school expenses," he said.
"It's not consistant with an egalitarian Australia, and it's not good governance either, so I don't support it."
14/05/2012 16:02
Contractors have walked away from a $400 million job at Ararat Prison. Read More
Ararat Rural City Councillors say they're worried about the fate of local contractors, who have stopped work on the redevelopment of Ararat Prison.
Workers walked off the job late last week after unions confirmed contractors have not been paid for working on the $400 million project.
Ararat Council CEO Andrew Evans says up to 150 new jobs will be on hold, with construction facing a delay of up to 18 months.
"The Government will finish building the jail so the impact on the Ararat community is the delay to that implementation, but the other potential effect is there may be a shortfall in the money being paid to local contractors, which isn't good either," he said.
Workers walked off the job late last week after unions confirmed contractors have not been paid for working on the $400 million project.
Ararat Council CEO Andrew Evans says up to 150 new jobs will be on hold, with construction facing a delay of up to 18 months.
"The Government will finish building the jail so the impact on the Ararat community is the delay to that implementation, but the other potential effect is there may be a shortfall in the money being paid to local contractors, which isn't good either," he said.
Northern Grampians Shire Council is pushing for flood funding for local farmers. Read More
Northern Grampians Shire Council has broadened its push for the declaration of Category C assistance in support of its farmers and property owners affected by the December floods.
The State Government has submitted a natural disaster application to the Federal Government which also has to support the application for it to come into effect.
Northern Grampians Mayor Cr Dorothy Patton says 99 farms, 64 homes and 16 community assets in the upper Wimmera catchment were affected on December 18, when around 125mm of rain fell in just two hours.
"We believe the funding to be necessary to that group of farmers who were affected by that downpour that was localised, yet damaging," she said.
14/05/2012 15:53
The State Government has submitted a natural disaster application to the Federal Government which also has to support the application for it to come into effect.
Northern Grampians Mayor Cr Dorothy Patton says 99 farms, 64 homes and 16 community assets in the upper Wimmera catchment were affected on December 18, when around 125mm of rain fell in just two hours.
"We believe the funding to be necessary to that group of farmers who were affected by that downpour that was localised, yet damaging," she said.
14/05/2012 15:53
Police are appealing for more common sense on our roads after a crash. Read More
Police are appealing for more care on our roads after a senseless collision on the Western Highway east of Dimboola last night.
A Geelong couple were rushed to Wimmera Base Hospital with serious injuries after their car was allegedly struck from behind by an Adelaide bound truck at about 6pm.
Police say the couple were returning to Geelong from Adelaide when their car blew a tyre.
They turned around to limp back into Dimboola when the accident happened near the Five Chain Road turnoff.
Horsham Police Sgt Mick Salter says witnesses reported the car travelling at about 40 kilometres an hour with hazard lights flashing.
"When you have a puncture or a break down like this, travelling back along the highway at 40km per hour is putting yourself at a huge risk," he said.
"If you have a flat tyre, pull right off and get your mobile phone, ring the RACV."
14/05/2012 15:49
A Geelong couple were rushed to Wimmera Base Hospital with serious injuries after their car was allegedly struck from behind by an Adelaide bound truck at about 6pm.
Police say the couple were returning to Geelong from Adelaide when their car blew a tyre.
They turned around to limp back into Dimboola when the accident happened near the Five Chain Road turnoff.
Horsham Police Sgt Mick Salter says witnesses reported the car travelling at about 40 kilometres an hour with hazard lights flashing.
"When you have a puncture or a break down like this, travelling back along the highway at 40km per hour is putting yourself at a huge risk," he said.
"If you have a flat tyre, pull right off and get your mobile phone, ring the RACV."
14/05/2012 15:49