State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has increased pressure on the Victorian Government to scale up its response to last October’s floods, saying its tardy distribution of emergency funding is hampering the region’s economic recovery.
Asked if she was satisfied with the government’s response, Ms O’Keeffe was blunt.
“No. I’m not, and I’ve spoken in parliament on how a lot of people, who have been approved to get funding assistance, particularly some of the businesses, are still waiting,” she said.
“Some of the businesses are still way behind and they’ve had to do repairs and things to their businesses when they could have had that money assisting them.
“You can see some of the empty shops. I’m sure there’s landlords who still can’t rent their buildings out. Where have those businesses gone?
“The funding relief. Not to have had it yet, is appalling. Now they qualified for it, they were given the approval and they still haven’t received it.”
Ms O’Keeffe also said dozens of families were still feeling the impacts of the floods, which had left them homeless.
GMCU phases out the cheque book
For the nostalgic, and slightly older among us, the Goulburn Murray Credit Union’s announcement that it is phasing out the cheque book might bring a tear to the eye.
The GMCU says it is withdrawing the use of cheques from the end of this month, which means members can’t use cheques as payment for goods or services after that date, although cheques presented by a member to be paid into their account will be accepted until the end of 2023.
“The use of cheques all around the world is in steep decline,” the GMCU said this week.
“According to the Australian Payments Network, cheques now represent just 0.2 per cent of all payments in Australia.
“The APN says cheque use in Australia dropped 83 per cent over the past 10 years and by more than 20 per cent each year since 2016.
“As a result of this, the financial institution that supplies cheque clearing services to much of the mutual banking sector is ceasing to supply this service.”
Those only familiar with the online banking era will now never know the need for two lines across the cheque either side of the words ‘non-negotiable’ nor the wait for the cheque to ‘clear’ after banking it.
‘Powerful alliance’ champions regional Australia
More than 30 chief executives from influential peak bodies have joined forces to launch the National Alliance for Regionalisation.
Established by the Regional Australia Institute, the alliance includes business, health, education, infrastructure and environment organisations.
Chief executive Liz Ritchie said the concept aimed to help the nine million people living in regional areas reach their potential.
“It’s no secret regional kids are still behind their metro counterparts at school. Employers are struggling to get staff — yet migration levels are significantly lower in regions. Towns are crying out for doctors, but kids in the country are less likely to finish high school,” Ms Ritchie said.
“Despite these challenges, regional Australia remains the engine room of our national economy, but it’s not firing on all cylinders.”
Former secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts, and secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development Mike Mrdak was announced as the chair of the alliance.
The Australian Local Government Association, Australian Medical Association, Business Council of Australia, National Farmers’ Federation and Rural Councils Victoria are among the organisations to sign up to alliance.