Press Releases

Small businesses in the Mildura area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on networking thanks to a forthcoming seminar announced today by Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. 

Mr Crisp said the Networking seminar, supported by the Coalition Government, would be held at Mildura Rural City Council Committee Room at 5:30pm on Thursday 1 March. 

Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success. 

Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing. 

All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business. 

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state. 

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Ms Asher said. 

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents

Mildura residents are being encouraged to determine the organ and tissue donation wishes of their loved ones during DonateLife Week which runs from 19 - 26 February 2012. 

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said DonateLife Week was an opportunity for everyone to reflect on whether they would know what to say if asked one day, ‘Did they want to be an organ and tissue donor?’ 

“It is encouraging to know that more Australians are discussing organ and tissue donation with family members and 72 per cent believe their family knows their donation wishes. At the same time, only 57 per cent of Australians know the donation wishes of their loved ones,” Mr Crisp said. 

“Any day this week is a good day to have the conversation with your family and close friends. It’s a conversation that will help you be prepared, should you ever be asked to confirm a loved one’s donation wishes. 

“It will also help your family be prepared should they ever be asked to confirm your wishes. It’s a conversation that could one day save lives.” 

It is important to know a person’s wishes regarding organ donation as their family will always be asked to confirm the donation wishes of the deceased. Families that have discussed and know each other’s donation wishes are more likely to uphold them. 

“We can all do our part as individuals by discovering the facts about organ and tissue donation, registering our decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register and, most importantly, discussing our decisions with the people close to us,” Mr Crisp said. 

In 2011, a total of 337 organ donors saved or improved the lives of 1,001 people in need of an organ transplant. This is the highest annual total of deceased organ donors and transplant recipients in Australia's history. 

DonateLife Week is Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation. It is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of the national DonateLife campaign.

State President of The Nationals, Mr Peter Schwarz is encouraging students to get their applications in as The Nationals Scholarship for Young Leaders 2012 draws to a close. The scholarship will assist students from rural and regional Victoria in their chosen tertiary pathway.

“The Nationals are committed to ensuring that regional and rural young people continue to reach their potential through higher education and training opportunities.” Mr Schwarz said.

“The scholarship winners will be chosen based on their academic endeavors, local leadership qualities, community involvement and their commitment to rural life.”

The total value of the scholarship is $5,000 which may be shared amongst one or more successful applicants.

“The Scholarship for Young Leaders has been a great success in the many years The Nationals have committed to run the bursary. The response from students across the state has traditionally been of a high caliber and the quality of the applications shows the strength and resilience of young people from across country Victoria,” Mr Schwarz said.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said the Scholarship was a fantastic initiative and encouraged eligible students to apply.

“The Nationals are proud to support regional and rural students pursuing their tertiary studies and promoting exceptional leadership qualities from future leaders, especially those committed to the future development of regional and rural Victoria.” Mr Crisp said.

The selection criteria for The Nationals Scholarship includes the applicant’s academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement. It is intended that The Nationals Scholarship be awarded to students who are intending to return to or remain in the country after their course and demonstrate a career commitment that will ultimately benefit rural/regional Victoria. Special consideration may also be given to students in hardship situations.

“I would encourage all school leavers and young people progressing with tertiary studies in 2012 to consider applying for the Young Leaders Scholarship.” said Mr Crisp.

The application process will be open until February 24, 2012. Application forms can be downloaded from The Nationals website:

www.vic.nationals.org.au

Local student Madeline Tickle from Red Cliffs Secondary Collegue in Mildura is one of 10 Victorian high school students who will be spending their Term 1 school holidays on an overseas study tour visiting significant military sites at Gallipoli in Turkey, and in Malaysia and Singapore where Australians have served in war.

Premier Ted Baillieu, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Hugh Delahunty and Member for Mildura Peter Crisp were at a reception this week at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne to announce the recipients of the 2012 Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize overseas study tour.  

“This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the fall of Singapore in World War II. Madeline along with nine other successful prize winners will set off on a trip of a lifetime visiting significant ex-military sites including Singapore’s Changi Museum, which is dedicated to those who lived and died in World War II,” Mr Crisp said.

“They will also have the chance to delve into Australia’s overseas military history by exploring ex-battlefields and learning about those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who survived.”

“What better way to encourage young Victorians to gain an insight in to the service of our veterans; learn more about family members who may have served; discover for themselves the ANZAC legacy, and better understand Australia’s military history,” Mr Crisp said.

Madeline along with the other nine students on the study tour will receive expert guidance and history of the battlefields from Professor Bruce Scates, Professor of History and Australian Studies at Monash University. Professor Scates is the author of several books including Return to Gallipoli – Walking the Battlefields of the Great War, and the recently published history of the Shrine of Remembrance.

Students entering the 2011-2012 competition were asked: “What does the spirit of ANZAC mean to them?” and “Are the values displayed by the ANZACs at Gallipoli and the Western Front still relevant today?”

Madeleine submitted a poem inspired by her Great Uncle William, a WWI veteran. She highlighted how the determination, bravery and selflessness of the young men that left to fulfill their civic duty in WWI changed the world's perception of Australia, and how the ANZAC spirit of being there for a friend in need is still relevant in today's society.

Minister for Veterans Affairs Hugh Delahunty said, “Through the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize the Victorian Coalition Government is delighted to provide even more opportunities for Victorian students to experience Australia’s proud ANZAC legacy.”

“The prize is an important way of ensuring future generations of young Australians never forget the sacrifices that help define us as a nation, especially in the lead-up to the important centenary of ANZAC commemorations in 2014,” Mr Delahunty said.

Further information on the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize 2011-12 visit www.veterans.vic.gov.au 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, Victoria will soon have legislation that sets out clear expectations for organisations that engage with carers.

"The Coalition Government has honoured an election commitment with the introduction of the Carers Recognition Bill 2012 which recognises all carers, including young carers, kinship and foster carers and acknowledges the valued role of carers in Victoria,” Mr Crisp said.

“Over 700,000 Victorians are caring for a family member or friend with a disability, mental or chronic illness or someone frail aged and carers need to be recognised for the enormous contribution they are making to the community and deserve our full support.

“Family carers save the Australian Federal Government more than $40 billion every year and many struggle with the demands of the role. This legislation will help carers gain better support when dealing with agencies and organisations,” Mr Crisp said.

Community Services Minister, Mary Wooldridge said that the Bill which she outlined in Parliament this week, will raise the status of these carers and care relationships in the community and sets out principles recognising carers for their contribution.

Ms Wooldridge said the Bill would bring Victoria into line with legislation in other states and territories and the Commonwealth.

“However, the Bill is unique in recognising care relationships. Carers and the people they care for are in a shared arrangement and if the care relationship is strong, the carer and the person being cared for will have better lives,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“This approach to recognising the significance of care relationships has been the subject of extensive consultation.”

The legislation requires government and funded agencies to reflect the care relationship principles in the conduct of their business and report annually on the actions they have taken to comply with the principles.

The Victorian Charter ‘Supporting People in Care Relationships’ will be updated to reflect the new legislation and will support implementation of the Bill.

Small businesses in the Robinvale area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on business planning thanks to a forthcoming seminar announced today by Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. 

Mr Crisp said the Business Planning Basics seminar would be held at Robinvale Resource Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 21 February. 

Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success. 

Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing. 

All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business. 

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Ms Asher said. 

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents

People outraged at massive increases in insurance premiums should shop around if they are unable to negotiate satisfactory property insurance with their existing insurer, The Nationals Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said today.

Speaking following a meeting between The Nationals and Paul Northey, General Manager, Insurance RACV, Mr Crisp said it was clear some insurance companies, including RACV, had made a business decision to include flood insurance as a compulsory component of property and contents insurance.

Other insurance companies are offering clients the option of ‘opting out’ of flood insurance, he said.

RACV said they have considered the possibility of extreme flood events in calculating their flood insurance premiums, however these events may occur as infrequently as once per 10,000 years.

Whilst most damage is caused when floods go above floor level, RACV have also factored in the cost of claims for lower level floods.

RACV have taken a business decision to make flood insurance compulsory to avoid uncertainty during the stressful time after flood and/or storm damage. They acknowledge that the flood data is of varying degree of accuracy and are committed to ongoing improvement.

Based on this clear statement of RACV’s (and some other companies) position, we advise people to attempt to negotiate a flood premium which they consider acceptable with their existing insurer.

If these attempts are unsatisfactory then we encourage people to ‘shop around’. Other companies are offering optional flood insurance and the option of accepting a higher excess to reduce premiums should also be explored.

RACV and some other companies have made a business decision to make flood insurance compulsory and have factored quite low probability events into the setting of their premium. If clients, some of whom have been with the one company for many years, are not satisfied with the resultant premium then they should ‘shop around’ insurance companies.

Whatever people finally settle on they should make sure that it is in writing and that they understand the extent of the cover which they have purchased, Mr Crisp concluded.

Speaking in Parliament this week Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, has welcomed the Federal Coalition’s commitment to a review of competition laws following the current price war on fruit and vegetables between the major supermarkets.

“The latest move by major supermarkets to reduce the price of fruit and vegetables has caused concerns in my electorate.” Mr Crisp stated.

“I believe it is incumbent on the two supermarket chains to show that slashing prices won’t effect farmers.  Farmers have expressed concern that the two supermarkets can create a market surplus by manipulating their purchasing power.  The supply and demand can easily be effected creating a surplus in the market and those who have contacted me are smaller growers, who are genuinely frightened by this development. 

“Horticulture is strong in Victoria and the Mildura electorate is Victoria’s major producer of citrus and tablegrapes, both of which come under the fresh fruit banner.

“A small grower of tablegrapes has already reported to my office the possible impact on his livelihood.  He has already felt pressure to lower the price per box of his tablegrapes to help one supermarket match it’s competitor. 

“Once this spiral starts we all know that it will end in disaster for growers and I commend VFF President Andrew Broad’s call fro ethical purchasing policies by the major supermarkets.

“I strongly encourage local farmers to forward any evidence of price pressures to our Federal member, John Forrest.” Mr Crisp concluded.

Sports clubs throughout the Mildura Electorate can now put some new life into their club colours by applying for a share of funding through the Victorian Coalition Government’s Sporting Uniform Grants Program.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, encourages clubs to apply for grants of up to $1,000.

“Each week residents come together to put on their local club colours and represent their communities in a variety of sports. Team uniforms are more than just colours; they represent local sporting traditions and community pride,” Mr Crisp said.

“The Victorian Government, through the Sporting Uniform Grants Program, aims to reduce the cost of participating in sport for sports club members, families and their children. The grants provide clubs with an opportunity to replace old uniforms or purchase a range of uniform related items for members including team tops, shorts, socks and footwear.

“New sports uniforms can also go a long way towards boosting team morale and keeping communities connected.

“Helping sporting clubs with equipment such as uniforms is an important way for them to attract and accommodate new members, nurture talent and overcome some of the financial barriers that prevent people participating in club sports. This is why we are proud to deliver this initiative.”

Applications are now open online and will close on 1 March 2012.

For more information or to apply visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 for guidelines and assistance.

A new round of cash grants designed to help the state’s dedicated wildlife rehabilitators cover the cost of their important work has been announced as part of the government’s $1.2 million Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program, Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp said today.

“Wildlife rehabilitators, shelter operators and foster carers across the  can now apply for grants up to $5,000 to assist them with the costs associated with their work, such as veterinary bills, medicine, feed or maintaining enclosures.

“National Parks in the region are home to an abundance of native animals, unfortunately as a direct consequence of human activity, thousands of wild animals are killed, injured or orphaned each year. 

“Our wildlife carers are committed to looking after these sick or injured animals, with much of the work of rescuing and caring for these animals falling on their shoulders.

“This funding will help support the work these dedicated volunteers and organisations undertake,” Mr Crisp said.

The grants are part of a four-year funding package which will be made available to the 380 registered wildlife shelter operators and 399 registered foster carers in Victoria and this round is for $200,000, plus $70,000 for specific organisations.

For further information contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment visit http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/

Applications close on Monday 5 March, 2012.