The Scoop Friday 15 December 2017

Eddie Voogt from Wodonga led a group that met with Cathy to present a petition calling on the House to “prohibit the Northern Australia Infrastructure facility from loaning money to Adani or any other fossil fuel projects and encourage new renewable energy projects such as concentrated solar thermal power, wind and solar”. More than 700 signatures have been collected from across Indi.

EFFECTIVE INDI

Mobile phone activations good news in Mansfield Shire

The new mobile phone tower at Tolmie has been activated, the first of eight towers to be switched on in Mansfield Shire under the Commonwealth Mobile Black Spot Programme. With both the Tolmie and Archerton towers now operating, local residents are experiencing both new and significantly improved mobile coverage.

Community celebrates new mobile phone tower at Flowerdale

Cathy will be in Flowerdale on Tuesday to join celebrations for the opening of the new mobile phone tower. The tower will be number 10 of 35 Telstra mobile phone towers to be launched in Indi under the Mobile Black Spot Programme. The morning tea gets underway at 10.30am at the CFA Shed, Whittlesea-Yea Rd, Flowerdale.

INDI INVOLVED

Armistice Centenary Grants applications under consideration

Dedicated RSL representatives from across Indi have this week met with Cathy to consider how best to distribute the Armistice Centenary Grants in 2018. Expressions of interest closed on 8 December and applications will be invited. More about the grants here https://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants

Inquiry on decisions made by the Court of Disputed Returns

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will inquiry into the implications of decisions made by the Court of Disputed Returns, aiming to provide greater clarity to the electoral process. Submissions close on 22 December. For terms of reference and information about how to lodge a submission visit http://www.aph.gov.au/codr

Seeking transparency on political donations

The same Joint Standing Committee is also inquiring into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017. Among the reforms proposed in the Bill is a registration regime for third party campaigners who incur political expenditure, and restrictions on foreign political donations. Submissions close on 25 January 2018 and may be lodged at https://www.aph.gov.au/efdr

Growing vegetable industry leaders

Applications close on 15 January 2018 for those wanting to join the National Vegetable Industry Leadership Program 2018. Growing Leaders 2018 is the only national industry specific leadership program for the Australian vegetable industry. To apply go to  click here

THE WEEK AHEAD

• Myrrhee: Visit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monday 18 December
• Mansfield: St Mary’s Speech Night Monday 18 December
• Flowerdale/Hazeldene: Official launch mobile phone tower Tuesday 19 December
• Melbourne: Young Farmers Scholarship 2017 Awards Tuesday 19 December
• Melbourne: Indi Expat Event Tuesday 19 December
• Rutherglen: Meeting Indigo North Health Wednesday 20 December
• Rutherglen: Rutherglen High School presentation evening Wednesday 20 December

Note: The electorate offices at Wodonga and Wangaratta will be closed from Monday, 25 December 2017. They will reopen on Monday 8 January 2018. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2018. To contact the office for urgent matters, telephone (03) 5721 7077.