SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

With less than a week to go before Christmas, Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has urged regional Victorians to support local businesses in the last minute Christmas rush. Senator McKenzie said small businesses were the life blood of regional economies, but relied upon strong local demand to survive. ‘‘As more people shop online, many…

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MCKENZIE WELCOMES SPC TASKFORCE

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has welcomed the announcement of a special high-level taskforce to investigate assistance for SPC Ardmona by Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane this morning. The panel comprises Ms Catherine Livingstone AO, Mr Richard (Dick) Warburton AO LVO and the Hon Greg Combet AM. The taskforce, which has already met, will provide…

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Dairy stars in estimates

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie says the proposed front of pack labelling scheme developed under Labor does not give a true depiction of a product’s health benefits and is not based on evidence of behavioural change. During Senate estimates this week, Senator McKenzie’s questioning revealed the flawed application and assumptions of the front of…

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HEARING REINFORCES NEED FOR EMERGENCY SAFEGUARDS

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said a Productivity Commission hearing held in Melbourne today as part of its inquiry into processed fruit imports reinforced the need for emergency safeguards.   Senator McKenzie attended the hearing, after making written submissions to the Commission earlier this year. Representatives from the City of Greater Shepparton and Member…

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MCKENZIE TOURS EDUCATION PROVIDERS

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie will today visit Charles Sturt University and GO TAFE in Wangaratta with state Nationals member for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy.   The two education providers have partnered to offer agricultural education study options where students can advance from Certificate III to degrees in agriculture and agribusiness. Degrees in nursing,…

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MCKENZIE BACKS SUPPORT FOR SPC ARDMONA

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie says troubled Goulburn Valley fruit processor SPC Ardmona faces an uncertain future if no action is taken to support the company. Senator McKenzie said the recently released interim report from the Productivity Commission which found emergency safeguards were not warranted, was not surprising. ‘‘Even so, safeguards are a legitimate…

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Locals Raise Issues on Tour of Mallee

Fixing mobile black spots and funding for road upgrades will be the main topics of discussion during community visits by Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport Darren Chester. Senator McKenzie and Mr Chester will visit Charlton, Wycheproof, Birchip, Donald and Murtoa today. In Charlton they will…

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