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The GrainCorp Community Fund has opened its latest round of grants, with up to $20,000 available for community programmes and a further $20,000 for infrastructure and projects.
Since 2021, GrainCorp has delivered 148 grants to regional communities through this fund, supporting the kind of local initiatives that keep our towns strong.
If your organisation has a project that could use a boost, whether it is a new piece of equipment, a community programme, or infrastructure your group has been trying to get off the ground, this is worth a look.
Applications close 31 July 2026.
More information and how to apply: https://www.graincorp.com.au/community-fund/
Our region is full of good ideas. This is a chance to back one of them.
Since 2021, GrainCorp has delivered 148 grants to regional communities through this fund, supporting the kind of local initiatives that keep our towns strong.
If your organisation has a project that could use a boost, whether it is a new piece of equipment, a community programme, or infrastructure your group has been trying to get off the ground, this is worth a look.
Applications close 31 July 2026.
More information and how to apply: https://www.graincorp.com.au/community-fund/
Our region is full of good ideas. This is a chance to back one of them.
Kids shouldn't be learning about betting odds before they've learned times tables.
I've signed this open letter to the Prime Minister calling for stronger action on gambling advertising.
Right now, around 600,000 kids aged 12 to 17 are gambling, spending an estimated $18 million a year between them. Betting ads are on TV, online, during live sport and in the shows families watch together.
The government's proposed cap only runs until 8.30pm. After that, gambling ads can keep running through live sport and programs kids are watching.
The Coalition's alternative is simple. Ban sports betting ads during live sport and for an hour either side of it. That's real protection, not a half measure.
I've signed this open letter to the Prime Minister calling for stronger action on gambling advertising.
Right now, around 600,000 kids aged 12 to 17 are gambling, spending an estimated $18 million a year between them. Betting ads are on TV, online, during live sport and in the shows families watch together.
The government's proposed cap only runs until 8.30pm. After that, gambling ads can keep running through live sport and programs kids are watching.
The Coalition's alternative is simple. Ban sports betting ads during live sport and for an hour either side of it. That's real protection, not a half measure.
I'm worried about what recent government decisions are doing to investment in our region.
Changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan passed last parliament are hitting irrigators hard, and more water buybacks are the last thing our food bowl needs.
Add rising energy costs and a government that isn't backing the gas industry our fruit processing sector relies on, and you've got a real confidence problem.
One agri-business operator in northern Victoria told me directly, they're done investing here. Their next investment is going to California instead.
That's jobs and opportunities for our region.
We need governments, state and federal, backing private industry if we want the jobs to follow. Farmers, processors and manufacturers in Nicholls deserve a policy that keeps investment here, not chasing it away.
Changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan passed last parliament are hitting irrigators hard, and more water buybacks are the last thing our food bowl needs.
Add rising energy costs and a government that isn't backing the gas industry our fruit processing sector relies on, and you've got a real confidence problem.
One agri-business operator in northern Victoria told me directly, they're done investing here. Their next investment is going to California instead.
That's jobs and opportunities for our region.
We need governments, state and federal, backing private industry if we want the jobs to follow. Farmers, processors and manufacturers in Nicholls deserve a policy that keeps investment here, not chasing it away.
Aged care should mean care, not more bureaucracy
Last week, I spoke in parliament about aged care.
Hundreds of people across our region have contacted my office with the same story: long waits, confusing assessments, rising costs and packages that don't arrive when needed.
Pressure needs to be brought to bear on the minister to significantly improve this system and make sure it is delivering.
Older Australians shouldn't have to wait, and shouldn't have to go through the bureaucracy of the assessments they're going through, to get the care they deserve.
I'll keep pushing in parliament until this system actually works for the people relying on it.
Last week, I spoke in parliament about aged care.
Hundreds of people across our region have contacted my office with the same story: long waits, confusing assessments, rising costs and packages that don't arrive when needed.
Pressure needs to be brought to bear on the minister to significantly improve this system and make sure it is delivering.
Older Australians shouldn't have to wait, and shouldn't have to go through the bureaucracy of the assessments they're going through, to get the care they deserve.
I'll keep pushing in parliament until this system actually works for the people relying on it.
Farming businesses started the new financial year dealing with another round of changes.
Some long-running Coalition and industry-backed tax measures remain in place, including asset write-offs and loss carry-back provisions for tougher seasons.
But farmers are also being hit with higher wage costs, visa cuts, new environmental rules and more compliance.
For farms already dealing with seasonal challenges, high input costs, energy prices, water uncertainty and labour shortages, every extra cost makes it harder to stay productive.
Australian farmers feed our nation, clothe our nation and keep regional communities strong.
If Canberra is serious about productivity, it needs to make it easier for farmers to produce, not get in their way.
Some long-running Coalition and industry-backed tax measures remain in place, including asset write-offs and loss carry-back provisions for tougher seasons.
But farmers are also being hit with higher wage costs, visa cuts, new environmental rules and more compliance.
For farms already dealing with seasonal challenges, high input costs, energy prices, water uncertainty and labour shortages, every extra cost makes it harder to stay productive.
Australian farmers feed our nation, clothe our nation and keep regional communities strong.
If Canberra is serious about productivity, it needs to make it easier for farmers to produce, not get in their way.
From today there are a lot of changes for farming businesses. The bottom line is there are some really positive steps here, but they’re sitting alongside new rules that increase costs and red tape and reduce productivity. We will keep working with Government and our members to get things right, so that farmers have clarity on how they navigate what's ahead.
KILMORE CAN'T GROW ON YESTERDAY'S ROADS
It's now one of the fastest growing regional communities in Victoria.
Heavy vehicles are still rolling straight through the centre of town, a safety risk for pedestrians, shoppers and local businesses.
Mitchell Shire Council has named the Kilmore Bypass one of its highest priorities, but it's been languishing for years.
Kilmore cannot continue to grow with yesterday's road network. It's been ignored by too many governments for too long. State and federal governments need to focus on Kilmore, focus on the growth, and get on with the job.
It's now one of the fastest growing regional communities in Victoria.
Heavy vehicles are still rolling straight through the centre of town, a safety risk for pedestrians, shoppers and local businesses.
Mitchell Shire Council has named the Kilmore Bypass one of its highest priorities, but it's been languishing for years.
Kilmore cannot continue to grow with yesterday's road network. It's been ignored by too many governments for too long. State and federal governments need to focus on Kilmore, focus on the growth, and get on with the job.
