State MPs come together for regional sitting in Echuca Library

State MPs from across Victoria attended the momentous occasion and discussed various topics, particularly regional issues such as Rochester’s ongoing recovery from the 2022 floods.

The excitement was palpable as the MPs gathered for a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by Uncle Rick Ronan of the Wollithiga clan before the meeting got underway.

Victorian Legislative Council President Shaun Leane then led the proceedings and thanked the Echuca community and Echuca Library for hosting the meeting.

“It’s fantastic for us to be in this region; we are very privileged to be welcomed so warmly; it’s a wonderful part of our great state,” he said.

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell also thanked Campaspe Shire and Echuca for their hospitality during the Legislative Council’s visit to the region.

“I would like to thank Mayor Rob Amos and the community of Echuca for their warm welcome. We are very lucky to be here,” she said.

Throughout the meeting, the members discussed an array of topics, including recovery efforts in the wake of the 2022 floods that devastated Rochester, tabling petitions for new infrastructure, residential aged care facilities in Campaspe, the high level of regional health services offered in Echuca and continued funding to support water projects in northern Victoria.

Victorian Attorney-General and State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was thrilled to have the Legislative Council in Echuca, a town where she spends a lot of time.

“Echuca is a town I have loved to visit as a child, and now, as a councillor, it is great to meet here in this beautiful regional town and Campaspe Shire,” she said.

“I am very proud of this shire, and to showcase this area to my fellow councillors, we have a large presence of members visiting Echuca.

“I think it’s great to have regional MPs in regional towns. I do it every day, so to be able to share it with our metropolitan colleagues is fantastic.

“Everyone really enjoys visiting regional Victoria, and Echuca is certainly a great place to visit. We have felt very welcome.”

Ms Symes was pleased that Echuca and the broader Campaspe Shire are receiving attention from MPs across the state, as she believes regional towns throughout Victoria have so much to offer.

The government aimed to show support for Victorian country towns by holding the Legislative Council meeting in Echuca.

“As the local government representative of this area, I spend a lot of time talking in parliament about the issues important to regional Victorians,” she said.

“However, not everyone knows what is happening locally, so having the attention here means that people will perhaps tune in and see what we are discussing.

“I think (being here) it sends a really strong message that all of our ministers and the contributions they are making are demonstrating their interest and investment in meeting the needs of country Victorians.”