Lovell seeks regional upper house sitting in flood-affected LGA

By Bianca Hall

Apr 2, 2023

Taking parliament to the regions: State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called for parliament to sit in a flood-affected region. Photo by Simon Bingham

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has tabled a motion in parliament calling for a future sitting of the Legislative Council to be held in a regional area impacted by the October 2022 floods.

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Ms Lovell tabled the motion to meet and sit in a flood-affected community in central-northern Victoria for one day in October or November 2023.

Likely locations would be in Mitchell Shire, City of Greater Shepparton or Campaspe Shire.

Ms Lovell said members of the Legislative Council must continue to visit communities that were devastated by the October flood event to hear first-hand what was needed as they rebuilt after the floods.

“A regional sitting of the council in a flood-affected LGA is an ideal way for this to occur, while providing an economic boost in communities still doing it tough,” Ms Lovell said.

She moved a similar motion in 2020 that resulted in the Legislative Council sitting in Bright, a community that had been affected by terrible bushfires. The sitting provided a significant boost for the local economy as most members stayed two or three nights in the town.

A regional sitting also provides the opportunity for local schools and residents to observe the Victorian Parliament at work without the need to travel to Melbourne.

Ms Lovell said a sitting of parliament in a flood-affected local government area would deliver similar economic and educational benefits and would focus the attention of MPs on the region.