Thursday, 15 May 2025

Eastern Victoria Region

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:37): My constituency question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Minister, the Traralgon Probus Club has been hit with a newly imposed fee of $425. This new charge is in addition to the standard fees in meeting their requirements under the act. By contrast, the New South Wales Probus clubs only pay $26. There are six Probus clubs in Latrobe Valley and another five Probus clubs in Gippsland. This equates $5000 which clubs have to raise. In a cost-of-living crisis, for not-for-profit organisations whose membership is composed of pensioners and senior Victorians engaging in positive social interaction to keep them well and healthy, this additional cost is unfair and very miserly of you. Minister, will you withdraw the fee to the Traralgon Probus club and all other Probus clubs in my electorate who have been whacked with this extra charge?