I’m urging Australians to buy Australian-grown and produced food, as imported processed food products are on the rise. We need to help Australian farmers before it is too late, with farmers and food processors facing growing pressure to compete with importers, while the cost of production at home also soars. Labor’s Supermarket Code is supposed to deliver fairness for farmers. I am deeply concerned supermarket behaviour will make our Australian growers redundant. Farmers and processors are facing enormous pressures, including more regulatory burden, higher input costs, higher energy costs and lack of labour available. The Albanese Labor Government hasn’t delivered any grower capacity building and training for the Food and Grocery Code, despite announcing it on 21 March 2025, and it seems no grocery supply chains and trading arrangements recommendations from the February Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Price Inquiry have been implemented. Farmers are desperate and running out of time – that’s why I am now calling on Australians to save Australian farmers by choosing local, not imported food products, where possible. Farmers are calling for a revitalised campaign, targeting food manufacturing and the implications to food security. David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals *** Government losing control of Victoria’s finances Victoria’s net debt is spiralling out of control, now increasing by more than $2 million every hour under the Allan Labor Government, according to the financial report for the State of Victoria 2024–25 tabled in Parliament this month. The report reveals Victoria’s net debt has surged by $17.6 billion in just 12 months - that’s more than $48 million a day. It also highlights: • a $106 million shortfall in payroll tax revenue due to weaker employment outcomes; • employee expenses exceeding budget expectations by $2 billion; and • interest payments rising by $272 million due to increased borrowing costs. The government’s economic mismanagement is hitting regional Victoria hardest. After a decade of reckless spending, Labor has left Victoria burdened with the highest debt, highest taxes and weakest economy in the nation. Regional families, farmers and small businesses are feeling the pinch. Every dollar Labor borrows is another dollar taken away from the services and infrastructure country communities rely on, our hospitals, schools, and roads. The Nationals' and Liberals will restore responsible financial management and back regional Victoria with less waste, lower taxes, and less crime so our state can grow stronger, safer, and more affordable once again. Tim McCurdy, Nationals’ MP for Ovens Valley *** The community has a vital role to protect children Crime Stoppers Victoria, in partnership with Victoria Police, has launched a confronting new campaign with a blunt warning to offenders: if you view child abuse material, you lose everything. Viewing or sharing child abuse material, including written text-based material, is a serious crime with devastating consequences. Offenders may believe their actions are hidden behind a screen, but the reality is that viewing child abuse material destroys lives, including their own. The ‘What Are You Watching?’ campaign confronts offenders with this truth: your people will disown you if you commit this crime - your friends, your family, your freedom, your future are all at risk. Viewing or sharing child abuse material is a deplorable crime. Offenders face arrest, prosecution, public shame, entry on the sex offenders register and lifelong restrictions on their freedom and employment. They will also lose the respect of family, friends and community, and their actions will not be forgotten. The shame associated with this crime will destroy you. Our message is clear: if you view child abuse material, you lose everything. Every online action is traceable, and the message could not be clearer - if you engage in these horrific activities, you will be caught. The campaign also urges people at risk of offending to seek help (from services such as Stop It Now!) before their behaviour escalates. We are also calling on the community to play a vital role in protecting children. Even the smallest detail in a report can help stop abuse and hold offenders to account. If you suspect someone is accessing or sharing child abuse material, make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or call 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous. Stella Smith, chief executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria Detective Superintendent Tim McKinney, Victoria Police Cybercrime Division
