I had the great pleasure last week of visiting the Wangaratta District Specialist School. A shout out and thank you to their engaging students, to their energetic Principal, Chris Harvison, and the incredible staff.
I have called for increased drug testing on roads and driver education for young people as part of my submission to the Victorian Inquiry into the Increase in Victoria’s Road Toll. The Transport Accident Commission reports that in the last 5 years approximately 41% of all drivers and motorcyclists killed who were tested, had drugs in their system and 25% of Victorians who use recreational drugs admit to driving under the influence.
Towns in Northern Victoria will face extraordinary inconveniences as the state announced border closures between New South Wales and Victoria. I have called for the Government to consider regional trading bubbles. Businesses face further hardship under the border closures and I have asked the Premier to immediately ease trading restrictions in regional areas.
I am disheartened but not surprised, as complaints roll in from across volunteer brigades following the reassignment of 171 support staff from the CFA to Fire Rescue Victoria. I offer my ongoing support to CFA volunteer brigades, which are critical to our safety and to that of regional communities.
