PROGRAM SET FOR NEW LIFE
In just a few weeks, an important service will return for rural women.
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I’m proud that the Labor Government has decided to re-establish the Victorian Rural Women’s Network from the 1st of July.
The Network began in 1986 to support women living in rural and often isolated areas, raising their profile and allowing them to connect and share information.
But it was inexplicably disbanded by the former Coalition Government in 2013.
Over the past two and a half years, women from all over the state have asked me to re-establish the Network.
Our Government will provide $1.7 million to support the initiative which will allow the Network to promote women’s economic participation, professional development, and wellbeing.
The Network will provide a one stop shop for information for rural and regional women with events, ideas, an e-newsletter and social media platforms, leadership opportunities and inspiring stories.
It speaks volumes that the former Coalition Government cut this vital service.
The re-establishment of the much loved Rural Women’s Network shows that voices from outside Melbourne truly matter and there is a Government that is listening.
Women from every corner of our state have told me how important this is.
We listened and we will deliver.
Jaala Pulford MP, Labor Member for Western Victoria.
Providing the framework for energy discussion
Recently, I caught up with Australia’s chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel to discuss his recent review into the future of the National Electricity Market – a 200-page report full of recommendations on a topic that has polarised politics for 10 years.
I chair the House of Representatives Environment and Energy committee and I approach this role with knowledge of the environment, having been reliant on it for 20 years as a farmer, and with a practical sense rather that an ideological one.
Electrical energy has been instrumental in lifting the standards of living for Australians since the 1920s. My practical approach to energy policy means that I value the role traditional sources such as coal play in our energy mix, while also being open and excited about new and different energy sources that supplement our grid.
We have found there are three components to a stable electrical grid that are essential to plan for the future – electrical power; inertia, creating electrical stability; and reliability.
One of the important recommendations from Dr Finkel is to ensure any new generation sources that plug into the grid can produce all three of these components. For those who advocate for an energy mix involving large amounts of renewable energy, this recommendation is essential.
Additionally, Dr Finkel suggests that any large scale generation plant should be required to give three years notice if it intends to close down. This is in line with practice in the United States, and would have allowed much better planning in the event of the recent closure of Hazelwood power station.
The one idea that some Australians appear to miss is longer term policy settings that encourage investment. The very nature of power generation is that it is expensive to build and takes a long time.
The Netherlands set an eight-year policy settings for power generation and enjoy bipartisan political support.
In contrast, Australia's investment has been stifled by three year political cycles.
I am pleased the Australian Government has announced export licensing certificates, to put downward pressure on the price of gas for Australians and to ensure adequate supply. I am proud of our Australia first intervention. The Finkel review creates a framework for a discussion we must have, perhaps one that is long overdue. Do you give a Finkel?
Andrew Broad, Member for Mallee