A number of people gathered outside the Daylesford Town Hall on Wednesday, January 26 to protest against Australia Day.

The people had a banner saying terra nullius.

Terra nullius is a Latin term meaning “land belonging to no one”. British colonisation and subsequent Australian land laws were established on the claim that Australia was terra nullius, justifying acquisition by British occupation without treaty or payment.

The Aboriginal flag was flown at half mast.

Moves to cancel or change Australia Day have been building momentum over recent years with street marches in most capital cities today.

HEPBURN Shire Council hosted its annual Australia Day Eve to welcome new citizens and announce community award winners.
The council welcomed eight new citizens and presented the 2022 Hepburn Shire Community Award Winners for 2022 at a ceremony at the Hepburn Springs Sound Shell.

The winner of the Community Event of the Year was Feast on Fraser Street/Christmas in Clunes organised by Clunes Neighbourhood House with coordinator Deb Bright accepting the award.
Young Citizen of the Year went to Katie Topp. Katie, who lives in Hepburn Springs, is completing an internship at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and is a volunteer with Riding for the Disabled Daylesford.

Citizen of the Year went to Danny Moynihan. Danny has served the wider community in many roles over the past 37 years, involved in at least 24 community organisations and causes including Daylesford Girl Guides, Daylesford Scouts, White Ribbon, ChillOut, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer and Daylesford’s Agricultural Show.
Life membership award for services to Town Crying and the Community went to Philip Greenbank, pictured left. The award was presented by the council on behalf of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers.
Top, from left, Ballarat MP Catherine King, Mayor Tim Drylie, Danny Moynihan, Clunes Neighbourhood House coordinator Deb Bright, Katie Topp and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas.
Above, Mayor Tim Drylie, second from far right, welcomes the eight new Australian citizens

The state government is helping schools stay open safely and reducing disruption to students’ learning, with a staffing pool to fill COVID-related vacancies in Victorian government schools at short notice.
As schools prepare for the beginning of Term 1, the Government is calling on inactive or retired teachers, education support staff, retired principals and staff with administrative experience to join the Job Opportunity Pool.
Staff will be deployed to local schools on a fixed-term basis to fill any short-term gaps caused by teachers, school leaders or education support staff who contract COVID-19 and need to isolate.
Government schools will be able to access this pool to assist with their daily operations – from face-to-face teaching to student support, school-based allied health or administrative assistance, as well supporting school leaders in managing COVID-19 matters.
All staff employed through the pool will hold a valid Working with Children Check or valid Victorian Institute of Teaching registration prior to the commencement of employment – and must be fully vaccinated, as with all adults who enter school sites.
While a comprehensive return-to-school plan will be released soon, the Government has spent the summer holiday period delivering more than $190 million in measures to keep schools COVIDSafe.
Education staff interested in being part of the Job Opportunity Pool are urged to apply now at https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/careers/Pages/advacsSCH.aspx.
Minister for Education James Merlino: “Every sector is under pressure from the Omicron variant, and education will be no exception – but we’re taking action early to make sure staff absences don’t mean huge disruptions for students’ learning.
“If you’re a retired or inactive teacher, school support staff member, allied health professional or administration worker – we want you to support our schools in 2022, so please get online and apply now.”

The Victorian real estate market has closed 2021 on a high.

The median house price in regional Victoria has recorded its largest annual increase since 2001, according to data from Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s December quarter report.  

In 2021, the median house price in regional Victoria grew 27.0 per cent reaching a record breaking $565,000 over the year.  

Units and Apartments in regional Victoria also grew, achieving an annual growth of 19.6 per cent bringing the median price to $395,950. 

REIV President Adam Docking said, “The data reflects the enduring attraction of regional Victoria as a lifestyle choice following two years of COVID-19 restrictions.”  

Surpassing a median house price of $1,125,000 in the December quarter, metropolitan Melbourne maintained a steady growth with a quarterly increase of 4.2 per cent and 18.9 per cent annually – the highest annual growth in over a decade. 

The data shows houses in middle Melbourne, the typical suburban family belt, achieved a $1,230,000 median price with a reported annual increase of 18.3 per cent. 

Houses in outer Melbourne have experienced price growth for six consecutive quarters and with a median price of $815,000 are now 16.4 per cent more valuable than 12 months ago. 

The number of homes that went under the hammer surged 144 per cent compared to 2020. With 15,954 auctions and 12,794 sales in December quarter, it was the strongest ever performance for both auction volume and sales in any quarter. 

President Adam Docking said he expects the market will soon begin to stabilise as some of the listing volume issues are addressed and buyers have more to choose from. The impact, if any, of the Omicron surge on the real estate market is yet to be fully understood. 

“At this stage it’s too early to tell. Virus safety is front-of-mind and Victorians are well-adjusted to the protocols they need to prepare for when attending inspections,” said Mr Docking. 

“Major factors influencing the residential real estate market continue to be low interest rates, lifestyle choices as more people work from home and pent-up demand after the series of lockdowns over 2020 and 2021.” 

Mr Docking emphasized the need for government to improve infrastructure investment to support this unprecedented growth in our regions.  

There’s hope for Victorian families with the state government backed research into a new screening test for three rare genetic disorders in babies, leading to earlier diagnosis and better treatment.
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) have developed a new screening method to identify Prader Willi, Angelman and Dup15q syndromes in newborns, after receiving a grant from the Labor Government.
The researchers developed a method to screen for the three conditions simultaneously from a sample taken through the commonly used ‘heel prick’ test.
By looking at the number of chemical markers to affected genes, not present at such high or low levels in children without these disorders, researchers were able to identify the syndromes in babies potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Prader Willi, Angelman and Dup15q can lead to varying degrees of intellectual disability, autism, behavioural problems, seizures and/or severe obesity.
Wollert mother Chrissy Cimino’s son Elliott was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome when he was 14 months old, as a baby he couldn’t sit upright, never cried or babbled, and struggled to put on weight.
If four-year-old Elliott had been diagnosed as a newborn, specialists could have intervened earlier to help him develop his cognitive abilities and motor skills.
Prader Willi, Angelman and Dup15q syndromes affect about 135 babies each year in Australia, but the disorders are not included in newborn screening programs, and many go undiagnosed in a baby’s first year.
The MCRI study has confirmed that the method could be delivered at large scale for a low cost through standardised newborn ‘heel prick’ tests.
Researchers from the Royal Children’s Hospital, the University of Melbourne and international research institutes also contributed to the study.
The Victorian Government provided a grant of $100,000 to MCRI as part of the 2018 Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund, supporting researchers to develop the new screening method and since 2014 has committed $1.3 billion to medical research.
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford: “Victorian researchers are world-class and changing lives every day with discoveries like this screening test that will help children reach their full potential.”

The federal government has committed $4.5 million toward a major expansion of Bendigo Airport, paving the way for more flights in and out of the region and creating new jobs and economic opportunities.

Bendigo is a major regional hub and upgrades to the local airport are required to meet growing demand for air services.

The Government’s funding will support the expansion of the existing airport terminal, including the addition of new departure and waiting lounges, expanded car parking facilities, a security screening area, a baggage claim, an expanded café and restroom facilities.

The project will spark almost $23 million in local economic activity and support 49 jobs during the construction period alone, boosting Bendigo’s recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once complete, the airport’s expanded operations will support a further 19 new jobs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the airport’s expanded operations would facilitate greater economic activity in the region.

“Bendigo Airport is a vital connection for so many travellers, helping locals in and around Bendigo reach their destination of choice but also facilitating the arrival of visitors to the area,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen greater numbers of Australians holidaying in our regions. These upgrades to Bendigo Airport will facilitate more flights to and from the city, providing a boost for local tourism operators, supporting jobs and driving increased economic activity.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to deliver the infrastructure regional towns like Bendigo need to grow and get ahead.”

Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the commitment to the expansion of the largest capacity airport in north-central Victoria is another example of the Liberal and Nationals Government supporting regional Australia.

“The Bendigo Airport is a central piece of infrastructure providing vital services for several regional centres in both Victoria and New South Wales,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The upgrade will provide a boost to the local economic, business and tourism sectors.”

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson welcomed the expansion, which is set to be delivered by 2023.

“I commend council, Bendigo Airport and the broader Bendigo community on their vision for this vital expansion,” Senator Henderson said.

“Once operational, the airport will generate a large boost in jobs, deliver tourism and business travel opportunities to the region and increase local economic output each year.

“This builds on the Coalition Government’s investments in Bendigo Airport including $5 million to construct a new runway to suit larger aircraft, $465,000 to expand the airport’s passenger transport apron and construct a run-up area and $300,000 to build a helicopter stand and a fuel truck parking area for emergency services.”

Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the airport’s expansion was necessary to cater for growing demand.

“The City of Greater Bendigo has been in discussions about the Bendigo Airport with the Liberal and Nationals Government over the last 12 months,” Mr Drum said.

“We are proud to support the delivery of new infrastructure that will bring more people to our region and better connect locals to where they need to go.”

City of Greater Bendigo Chief Executive Officer Craig Niemann said the Federal Government’s funding commitment would breathe new life into the airport and the local region.

“This is fantastic news for our region. By expanding the airport terminal, we are in a great position to welcome more flights, from more locations and bigger planes, which will drive an increase in tourism to Greater Bendigo and central Victoria,” Mr Niemann said.

“This project will also generate new local jobs, both during construction and when the expanded terminal and business park are operational and create exciting new investment opportunities.

“Thank you to the Australian Government for these funds and commitment to this important regional asset.”

Construction on Bendigo Airport’s expansion is set to start later this year and be completed by 2023.

The Victorian Government is contributing $4.5 million toward the redevelopment of Bendigo Airport, while the Bendigo City Council is providing $985,000.

The state government has created a new Chief Accessibility Advocate role to provide advice and help improve accessibility across the Victorian transport network.
Tricia Malowney OAM has been appointed in the new role, which will support the Labor Government’s coordinated, whole of transport approach to accessibility – delivering better outcomes for all Victorians living with a disability no matter how they choose to travel.
Accessible infrastructure is being built into Victoria’s unprecedented $80 billion investment in transport infrastructure projects, which will provide better, more connected and more accessible services for Victorians – but there is more work to be done. Melbourne is home to the world’s largest tram network and accessibility improvements will be built into the design of our Next Generation Trams as well as future train and bus orders.
The government has already built or upgraded 36 train stations over the past seven years, improving accessibility for the thousands of Victorians that use these stations every day.
Ms Malowney brings valuable experience to the role as a member on a number of boards including the Disability Leadership Institute, NDIS Independent Advisory Council, Fire Rescue Victoria Strategic Advisory Committee, Melba Services and the Urgent Action Fund for Women Asia Pacific. She is an inductee of the Victorian Honour Roll of Woman and was awarded the Medal in the order of Australia in 2017 for her advocacy work for women with disabilities.
In addition, Liz Ellis has been appointed to the role of chair of the Accessible Transport Advisory Committee, with two new committee members, Melissa Hale and Martin Stewart, as well as the reappointment of Mark Tomkins.
The Committee provides strategic advice to the Government and supports the delivery of the Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2020-2024.
Ms Malowney will occupy the Chief Accessibility Advocate role for three years.
Minister for Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll: “I’d like to congratulate Tricia Malowney on her new role, and I look forward to working together to deliver a public transport system for all Victorians.
“We know there is more work that needs to be done, which is why we continue to work with operators, community groups and locals to help drive solutions and identify how we can make our transport network better for everyone.”

The Victorian Government has reached an in-principle agreement to deliver fairer pay and conditions for public sector mental health workers, who will be vital to Victoria’s unprecedented mental health system reform.
The new enterprise agreement addresses recruitment and retention gaps identified by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, provides greater equality for nurses specialising in mental health care, and delivers a range of initiatives to promote gender equity among the workforce.
As an added boost to our mental health workforce, the agreement will also ensure a further 800 full time equivalent jobs will be added over the next four years to deliver better care for Victorians who need it, as well as up to $3 million for extra staffing in Secure Extended Care Units and Aged services.
Under the new deal, mental health nurses will receive a two per cent wage increase each year for the first three years, in line with Government wages policy – plus a 1.5 per cent rise in year four.
Victoria’s hardworking mental health nurses will also receive additional amounts to ensure that they are paid at parity with their general nurse counterparts’ wages, helping attract and retain nurses in the mental health sector.
For all other employees in the sector, there will be an additional increase and retention payments to help with staff retention in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The new agreement will see new positions added to address leadership and ongoing education and professional development and assist with staff retention – with a designated Mental Health Director of Nursing for each mental health service, Clinical Educators for Parent and Infant Units and extra clinical staff in High Dependency Units.
Other key outcomes will help promote gender equity, like an additional four weeks parental leave for the primary carer and one week for the non-primary carer, superannuation paid on all forms of parental leave and access to compassionate leave for those who lose a pregnancy under 20 weeks’ gestation.
The agreement also develops a career structure for the state’s emerging Lived Experience Workforce – helping to attract and retain people with real life experience of the mental health system, and make sure they are embedded in the future direction of mental health service delivery.
Work to rebuild Victoria’s mental health system is well underway, with a record $3.8 billion in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to begin the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Minister for Mental Health James Merlino: “Our mental health system is nothing without the passionate, dedicated people who work on the frontline to support Victorians every day – and we’re so proud to have secured a new deal with fair pay and conditions.
“As we begin the task of rebuilding our state’s mental health services, the first step is making sure we have an agile, well-supported workforce to adapt to these changes and deliver better care than ever before.”

The Victorian Government is reducing the risk of bushfires and fostering energy resilience in regional communities with nation-leading powerline and microgrid initiatives.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio has announced that residents of an additional 13 local government areas with high bushfire risk can now apply to underground their private powerlines through the Private Overhead Electric Line scheme.
Eligible locations now include the Alpine, Baw Baw, Benalla, East Gippsland, Indigo, Mansfield, Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington, Wodonga and Yarra Ranges LGAs.
Replacing private overhead powerlines is well advanced across Victoria. To date, 736 kilometers of overhead powerlines have been replaced in high-risk bushfire areas through the Government’s $5 million scheme.
The scheme is open for any partially or fully bare-wire private powerlines, or any insulated private powerlines subject to a current urgent or significant defect notice.
Consultation was also launched today on the Community Microgrids and Sustainable Energy Program, with communities in three East Gippsland towns invited to have their say on how energy-resilient microgrids could operate in their region.
Following the 2019-20 bushfires around Mallacoota, Omeo and Corryong some areas were disconnected for more than a month from the state’s grid.
Network resilience projects incorporating solar, battery, hot water heat pumps and/or smart energy management devices help communities stay safe during bushfire emergencies if powerlines are affected.
Communities and affected stakeholders in and around Mallacoota, Omeo and Corryong can submit expressions of interest for subsidised energy systems in their homes, businesses, and essential service sites.
More information can be found at engage.vic.gov.au/community-microgrids.
Residents in the additional LGAs can apply for funding at any time through the Private Overhead Electric Line scheme until 30 June 2022, either on (03) 9918 7315 or at energy.vic.gov.au/electricity/powerline-replacement.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio: “Community safety is our top priority – which is why we are continuing to invest in new technologies to help keep Victorians safe and connected to resilient, secure and increasingly green energy infrastructure.
“We’re putting people first by ramping up the Private Overhead Electric Line scheme to underground private powerlines, and encouraging all eligible Victorians to apply for this nation-leading project.
“We’re building energy resilience and safety as we face the impact of climate change and see hotter summers with longer bushfire seasons.”

Thousands of Victorian creatives will soon be working on the set of the new Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, which will begin filming in Victoria early 2022.
Set to become one of the largest movies to be filmed in the state – Better Man will film at Docklands Studios Melbourne and showcase the best of Victoria’s screen industry talent.
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have backed the ambitious project, with the production predicted to inject up to a record $107 million into the Victorian economy.
Better Man is expected to create around 2,200 local jobs, including 14 local Heads of Departments, 80 visual effects practitioners, and 220 crew.
In addition, there will be more than 2,700 extras and casuals and work will be created for an estimated 300 local businesses and service providers.
Directed and co-written by Victorian filmmaker Michael Gracey, the film will offer an introspective look into the experiences that shaped Williams, both on and off stage.
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said the film will build on other internationally acclaimed productions in the state.
“Victoria has a long history of celebrated contributions to the global film industry and Better Man will further showcase our world-class talent, crew and locations,” the Minister said.
“Supported as part of our VICSCREEN strategy, this project will create thousands of jobs for Victorians while delivering economic benefits right across the state.”
Commonwealth Minister for Arts Paul Fletcher said the production cements Victoria’s reputation as a hub for exceptional filmmaking.
“The decision to film Better Man in Victoria is a great testament to the enduring status of Australia as a destination for large scale film productions as a result of our talented creatives, skilled crews and exceptional facilities – supported by the Morrison Government’s attractive financial support for the film industry – including the 40% Producer Offset for Australian feature films,” Minister Fletcher said.
Authorised b OFFICIAL y the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for the Arts of Australia
Off the back of international successes including Clickbait and La Brea, Better Man was attracted through the new Victorian Screen Incentive and will reinforce the state’s position as a global powerhouse in the industry.
Attracting major job-creating productions is a key focus of VICSCREEN, Victoria’s $191.5 million, four-year strategy to strengthen and grow the state’s screen industry.
Better Man Director Michael Gracey said Melbourne was the perfect place to make the film.
“To tell Robbie William’s beautiful, distinct story, back home, in my own city, is a dream come true. There is a creative energy that burns across the Melbourne film industry, and I know this movie will thrive here with the support of the Australian Government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s incentive program,” Mr Gracey said.
The star the movie is based on, Robbie Williams, said filming in Melbourne was an ideal location, revealing, “I’m so excited I am making this movie in Victoria with my friend Michael Gracey.”

There is so much to see and do in the Macedon Ranges and the region’s Autumn Festival is one of the newest features of the Victorian events calendar.
Planning for the 2022 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival (26 March to 25 April) is charging ahead, promising a fantastic program that celebrates the area’s uniqueness with events, activities, nature experiences, autumn produce and creativity across the shire.
Highlights of the festival include two works commissioned through Council’s Autumn Festival Artistic Experience expression of interest.
The successful works are an interactive sound and lighting experience in the Malmsbury Botanical Gardens titled ‘A Journey’, and a pair of gentle life-like puppets ‘The Gardeners’, that will entertain audiences in various locations during the festival.
Local artists Kirri Buchler, Thomas Campbell and indigenous artist Tashara Roberts (Dja Dja Wurrung/Yorta Yorta) will create an interactive sound and lighting experience in the Malmsbury Botanical Garden. The work will transport audiences as they contemplate the commonality of ‘journey’ — our own, each other’s and that of nature.
For big and little kids, the gentle Gardeners will appear at the shire’s markets, bringing gifts from the harvest to share with everyone they meet. These life-like creatures are designed by local puppeteers Tamara Rewse and Hamish Fletcher.
Along with the events program, the region’s food and wine businesses will be front and centre presenting the best of the Macedon Ranges’ local produce via the Eat and Drink promotions and the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail.
Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson is looking forward to the upcoming festival’s diverse offerings and thanked local business and community groups for responding to the call to get involved.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to reconnect, to encourage visitors back to the Macedon Ranges and support businesses that have had a challenging time over the last two years.”
“We’d particularly like to thank our major sponsors TCC Real Estate, Macedon Ranges Home Furnishings, The Block, Channel Nine and the Victorian State Government for their amazing support of the festival,” she said.
The new website will help visitors and locals plan their festival experience and book the many events and culinary delights on offer.
For more information on 2022 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, visit www.visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival/
It’s not too late to get on the program. Submit your autumn inspired activity, food or drink on Council’s website mrsc.vic.gov.au/autumn-fest to be cons

Arts and culture fans in regional Victoria will experience world-class performances in their local venues and see local productions brought to life, backed by new support from the state government.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson has announced the grant recipients for the latest rounds of the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs.
Touring Victoria provides grants to arts and cultural organisations, performers and creatives to help them to take professional productions, performances, exhibitions and programs to regional and outer-metropolitan Victoria.
This year’s program has awarded grants of more than $765,000 to eight tours including The Australian Ballet for performances in Mildura and Bendigo, singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards’s tour of 26 locations and a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra tour of nine centres including Wangaratta, Warragul, Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo and Mildura.
The MSO’s initiative takes in concerts, free pre-concert lectures, schools and community workshops and rehearsals with community choirs.
Also receiving funding are tours of The Alphabet of Awesome Science and Barbaroi, contemporary art exhibitions by National Exhibitions Touring Support Victoria, all-female circus-comedy show Don’t Mess with the Dummies, and Finucane & Smith’s Travelling Dance Hall – the Whole of Community Celebration, along with a 25-destination tour by the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.
The Small Regional Presenters program, delivered by Regional Arts Victoria, provides grants to community groups and not for profit organisations, helping them bring performing arts shows to their local communities.
Grants totalling almost $120,000 have been awarded to 11 recipients who will stage a range of theatre performances, concerts, art and education programs and literary events.
Events will be presented at locations including Kaniva, Stratford, Queenscliff, Portarlington, Avenel, Apollo Bay, Birregurra, Creswick and Lakes Entrance.
These include The Bellarine Sessions, a series of concerts in coastal towns around the Bellarine Peninsula, a series of community concerts in Creswick and kickstART, a year-long community focused program of performances in Stratford. In the north east, there is support for six live performances to be held at local halls in the King Valley.
For further details including the full list of funding recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson: “It’s fantastic to see so many wonderful arts events and cultural performances being presented at locations right across the state.
“These programs ensure more Victorians can enjoy great productions in venues large and small, and they bolster creative workers who deliver so much for their communities.”

The Victorian Government has introduced new measures to strengthen the state’s waste and recycling sector to deliver new services such as the container deposit scheme and four bin recycling system.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio has announced that from 1 July 2022, Recycling Victoria will oversee and regulate the state’s waste and recycling sector, following the introduction of the new Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Bill into Parliament.

The legislation is part of the Government’s $515 million investment to reduce waste, boost jobs and increase the amount of resources recovered by recycling.
These new measures will help divert up to 650,000 tonnes of organic waste away from landfill and boost Victoria’s economy by up to $6.7 billion by 2030, creating nearly 4,000 new jobs.
The Bill supports Victorian councils’ transition to a four-bin household recycling system by setting standards on service delivery and the sorting of material.
It will also help deliver the new Container Deposit Scheme, which enables people to return cans, bottles and cartons for a cash refund to increase recycling, reduce litter and provide community organisations with opportunities to raise funds.
Recycling Victoria will be part of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and will work with partner agencies, including Sustainability Victoria and the Environment Protection Authority.
Once enacted, it will improve the state’s recycling system, driving greater waste minimisation and resource recovery, while also protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information www.vic.gov.au/recycling
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio: “We’re implementing these measures to ensure that waste and recycling services are reliable, meet community expectations and contribute to Victoria’s waste and recycling goals.
“We know Victorians want to be able to do more to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and use resources wisely – this new legislation helps to do exactly that.
“These reforms will revolutionise household recycling, drive business innovation and create jobs of the future – delivering Victorians a recycling system they can rely on.”

All Australians will be invited to take part in a national consultation on the use of the title “surgeon” by medical practitioners, with Victoria leading the way.
The consultation will ask for feedback following concerns that the title “surgeon” and “cosmetic surgeon” by medical practitioners – whether by specialist surgeons or other practitioners without specialist training – can cause confusion and lead to bad outcomes for patients.
Currently medical practitioners in Australia can use the title “surgeon” in their practice regardless of whether they have obtained entry-level surgical training or advanced accredited surgical qualifications. This is because the law which regulates use of professional titles does not protect the title “surgeon”’ as a stand-alone title.
A Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) has been developed to ask for responses from the public on this issue and will run from mid-December until 1 April 2022.
Victoria, with the support of all Health Ministers is proposing four main reform options for consideration:
• Restricting the title “surgeon” under National Law, with feedback sought on who’d be eligible to use it.
• Strengthening the existing framework, through administrative rather than legislative mechanisms.
• Undertaking major public info campaigns and/or increasing provider liability for non-economic damages.
• Maintaining status quo and existing regulatory and other tools.
All members of the public are invited to anonymously provide feedback about their experiences and submissions can be made directly to the Department of Health by professional organisations and individual practitioners. A number of information sessions for professional organisations will also be held.
The information provided in the anonymous survey and direct submissions will be used to determine the most effective policy responses to address issues raised in the Consultation phase.
The proposed policy response will be outlined in a Decision RIS released to the public. The Decision RIS will explain the preferred implementation option and discuss potential impacts on the public and the medical profession.
Minister for Health Martin Foley: “The serious harm that has been exposed recently in the cosmetic surgery industry is unacceptable and we want to work with other jurisdictions to make sure it cannot continue to occur.
“Health Ministers are concerned that many Australians may believe that all medical practitioners who use the title ‘surgeon’ have obtained comparable and necessary training and qualifications, when it’s sometimes not the case.
“We need as many people as possible to provide feedback, so that all Australians can have confidence that when they visit a surgeon, they’ll get the best possible results.”

Milking the weather provides seasonal and climate risk information for the dairy industry four times per year — summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Information includes:

• regional round ups for the previous season
• seasonal climate outlook summaries
• strategies on managing the season ahead
• case studies on farmers managing climate risk successfully on their farms.

The Summer 2021-22 edition of Milking the Weather can now be found online via the Agriculture Victoria website.