Tiny Towns Fund offers big opportunities

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is encouraging local community groups to apply for the latest round of the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund. Round 3 of the program is now open, offering grants between $5,000 and $50,000 for projects that boost tourism, improve liveability, and strengthen community pride in towns with fewer than…

Neighbourhood Houses deserve funding security

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has called out the the Allan Labor Government’s misplaced priorities, saying they are putting the future of Victoria’s Neighbourhood Houses at risk. During a recent visit to Mildura Community House, Ms Benham met with staff and toured the facilities, learning more about the range of services and support…

Planning Amendment Bill fails to consider rural communities

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has criticised the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025 in Parliament, warning it risks leaving rural communities further overlooked in decisions that directly affect them. Ms Benham spoke of the many implications of the amendments to Victoria’s currently inadequate planning laws. “The planning schemes and these…

Sporting club grants now open

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is encouraging local sporting clubs to apply for funding through the latest round of the Sporting Club Grants Program. The program offers a range of grants to help strengthen grassroots sport and recreation, support volunteers, and ensure clubs continue to thrive in local communities for generations to come.…

Benham calls for action on pensioner rates concessions

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has called on the Minister for Local Government to urgently review static pensioner concessions on council rates. Speaking in Parliament, Ms Benham said skyrocketing council rates, combined with increased state government taxes and cost-shifting onto local councils, are placing an unfair burden on regional Victorians. “In regional areas…

Grants open for safer and stronger multicultural spaces

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is encouraging local multicultural and multifaith organisations to apply for grants under Round 1 of the Multicultural Infrastructure and Security Program. The program provides grants of up to $400,000 for maintenance, renovations, and security upgrades for multicultural and multifaith community facilities. Priority will be given to regional projects,…

Housing crisis hitting regional Victorians hard

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for its ongoing failure to address Victoria’s housing affordability crisis, as new figures show rents, waitlists, and homelessness are all surging across the state. According to the Government’s own March Quarter 2025 Rental Report, median rents in regional Victoria have soared by…

Road safety crumbles under Labor

The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for abandoning regional road safety, after government data confirmed local drivers are being forced to risk their lives on some of Victoria’s deadliest roads. Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) findings show nearly two-thirds of Victoria’s major roads are rated just one or…