Broad supports regional sitting of Parliament
Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad spoke in Parliament today to support a formal sitting of State Parliament in north central Victoria.
Ms Broad said a regional sitting would be a strong show of support for rural and regional areas that had suffered greatly in recent times.
“In last few years our region has been severely impacted by drought, bushfires, COVID and floods,” she said.
“Communities have experienced significant loss and have rallied together to survive these challenging times.
Ms Broad said regional sittings had been held before and were part of usual process when the Coalition was in government.
There have only been two regional sittings of the Legislative Council in the past ten years, in Bendigo on 6 September 2012 and Bright on 29 April 2021 for the bushfires.
“It would be great to host a parliamentary sitting in our region again, and provide an opportunity for people of all ages to come and see Parliament in action.
Ms Broad said, “It’s now over 6 months since the floods impacted 63 local government areas across the state, especially the towns of north central Victoria including Rochester, Mooroopna and Shepparton, Echuca, Wangaratta, Seymour, Bendigo, Charlton and Kerang.”
“At an ANZAC Day service last week I met David; he was living in Echuca when it was flooded and is still living in temporary accommodation.”
Ms Broad said: ”As the months roll on, and local communities continue to rebuild, it’s important that we continue to support them. People are still battling with insurance companies to get assistance, homes are still to be rebuilt, and businesses are doing their best to stay strong.”
“I am pleased to support the motion put by Wendy Lovell – for the President and Clerk to consult with local councils in flood affected communities to facilitate a Parliamentary sitting in central Northern Victoria.”
“It’s time we got out of Melbourne and into the regions, and let people know that this Parliament governs for all of Victoria.”