With Parliament returning this week following the winter recess, The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, says her focus remains firmly on the issues that matter most to regional communities.
Ms Cleeland said she would be fighting to improve road safety, defend private property rights, strengthen child protection, and ensure community voices are central to the future of Winton Wetlands.
“Parliament may have been on break, but the work hasn’t stopped,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I’ve spent the past month in towns across our region speaking directly with residents, local businesses, and community groups – and the message is clear. They want to be heard, and they want real action on the issues affecting their lives.”
Ms Cleeland said road safety would be a key priority in the wake of a 15 per cent increase in regional road fatalities this year.
“Wire rope barriers across our electorate are in disrepair and being left to rot,” she said.
“Labor has ripped more than $1 billion out of the Transport Accident Commission, money that should be going directly into road safety upgrades. Instead, regional lives are being lost while our roads continue to crumble.”
She also vowed to continue fighting Labor’s proposed VicGrid Stage 2 reforms, which would hand sweeping powers to government officials and transmission companies to access private farmland without landholder consent.
“This Bill is an attack on regional landholders and shows a complete disregard for property rights, biosecurity, and basic respect,” Ms Cleeland said.
Another key focus will be child safety, with Ms Cleeland backing reforms to improve oversight, strengthen working with children checks, and overhaul child protection reporting systems.
“We need a system that protects the most vulnerable and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.”
Ms Cleeland said she would also continue advocating for strong local input into the future of Winton Wetlands.
“After meeting with DEECA and the Minister’s office, there is a real opportunity for locals to shape the future of this site, but only if the government listens and acts in good faith,” she said.
“I’ll continue fighting for the outcomes our region deserves, and I urge everyone to keep speaking up so we can hold the government to account and demand action where it’s needed.”