Opinions
Dan Tehan – Member for Wannon When I walk down the main street of Hamilton, I see too many empty shopfronts. These are stark reminders of the businesses we’ve lost and the services our communities are missing. Every vacant window represents lost opportunities for jobs, investment and vibrancy. We can’t afford to let Hamilton and…
Across Wannon, the landscape is changing. Wind turbines are a common sight and transmission lines are being routed through farming districts, bringing visible and lasting changes to the region. This infrastructure signals a government imposed shift in how our energy is produced and delivered, and with that shift comes the potential for profound and lasting…
Take a drive through the towns across my electorate of Wannon and it’s plain to see what’s happening. Cafés, pubs, local retailers and service providers—especially those connected to the agricultural industry—are doing it tough. You won’t hear much about it in the cities, but out here, the drought isn’t just hitting the farms — it’s…
From my desk – with Federal MP Dan Tehan Sheepvention – come and visit my stand I’m looking forward to being at Sheepvention again this year. The sheep industry has been the backbone of western Victoria for over a hundred years and Sheepvention—one of the most significant rural events in the country—has been a cornerstone…
From my desk – with Federal MP Dan Tehan Energy prices rises from 1 July Energy prices started rising across the board on 1 July and will continue to do so in the coming months. This will further increase pressure on households, family budgets, and small and large businesses. Anglicare Australia also released its Cost…
While the additional drought support announced by the Victorian Labor State Government last month is a welcome—if overdue—acknowledgment that our farmers are in crisis, it falls well short of meeting the reality on the ground. Regional communities are facing a slow-moving disaster. Paddocks are bare, dams are dry and the financial pressure is mounting by…
From my desk – with Federal MP Dan Tehan I’m incredibly honoured to have been re-elected as the Member for Wannon. I remain as committed as ever to being your strong voice in Canberra—fighting for the issues that matter to you and making sure your concerns are heard. The election result was never about just…
On or before May 17, the country will decide who will govern Australia for the next three years. Here are some facts to bear in mind when thinking about how to make your vote count. According to the Parliamentary Library, Wannon has received $694 million in federal funding since 2016, far more than our neighbours…
From my desk – with Federal MP Dan Tehan Welcome back to my monthly column. If you have any questions for me, send them to editorial@hamiltonspectator.com.au and I’ll do my best to answer them next month. It’s wonderful news that the Hamilton Spectator lives on and will continue its important work. The survival of this…
I held my final listening post for the year in Ararat recently. It was the 101st one I did in Wannon this year. Thanks to everyone who came along during the year to share their issues and concerns. Your key concerns are shared throughout the electorate, with the cost of living and the lack of…
