Tuesday, 22 September 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (15:11): (2637) My constituency question is for the Treasurer, and I ask: why is this government failing to combat the cost-of-living pressures facing regional communities like Cape Clear? Evelyn and her dedicated volunteers were delighted to have the Liberal candidate for Eureka Emma Muir supporting the Cape Clear community pantry recently. We were told that almost half the town relies on them. No resident caught public transport to work at the last census, so rising fuel costs bite. Across Golden Plains shire half of all households are paying off a mortgage, compared with just over a third statewide. The emergency services tax is almost double the rate on family homes, let alone farms, compared with the old fire services levy, and it landed on council rate notices in recent weeks. Western Victorians cannot cope with these costs, and they cannot afford another day under costly Carroll.