Constituency questions
Lowan electorate
Ms KEALY (Lowan) (11:47): (2276) My constituency question is for the Premier, and the information I seek is: what support is the state government providing to vulnerable families, children, individuals and businesses in the Lowan electorate to assist during the COVID-19 outbreak? We need action and support now. Small businesses are already struggling under the bureaucracy of excessive red tape, more taxes under Labor and competing with the online market, yet Victoria is the only state without a stimulus package. Many rural homes do not have access to mobile and internet due to lack of coverage, so with schools expected to close and no opportunity for online learning at home, country kids will be left behind. Some rural supermarkets have not been able to get supplies of food and hygiene products for over a week. City people are coming in buses to clear out our supermarket shelves. Locals cannot access care packages. We need immediate financial support for our health services, which have insufficient funding for minimum expected services when times are good, let alone when dealing with a health crisis. Premier, please do not forget the most vulnerable and isolated residents in Victoria, particularly those in Lowan, during this viral outbreak. We need your support and we need it immediately.