Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:49): (2323) My constituency question today is for the Premier, and my constituents ask: Premier, will you come to the Longwood bushfire-affected area and have a frank, respectful discussion with those who feel neglected? It is now four months since the January bushfires tore through this beautiful part of Northern Victoria.

For four months these wonderful communities have been trying to put themselves back together and rebuild after they were destroyed by fire. The government promised help. The government promised they would not face this alone. The government promised money to rebuild. This is not happening. These communities feel forgotten and neglected. They are doing this on their own. There has been little to no help with clean-up. Promised caravans and shelter to house those who lost everything never arrived. It is now winter. It is now very cold, almost freezing in the hills, and these people have to stay in makeshift shelter, expensive hotels or with family and friends. People are struggling. The amazing volunteers at the community hubs, like Colleen, are working to the bone to help everyone they can, reaching out to those –(Time expired)