2026 Kokoda Scholarships now open The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is encouraging local students in Years 10-12 to apply for the 2026 Farnsworth Lochhead Lowe Kokoda Scholarship, with applications now open. The scholarship gives participants the chance to follow in the footsteps of soldiers on the historic Kokoda Trail. They will trek through…
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has questioned the Premier in Parliament on why bushfire victims in some municipalities are falling through the cracks. Communities across the south of the Mildura electorate have endured multiple fires since December, with more than 2,800 hectares burned, including the Jeffcott fire on 18 December, which destroyed a…
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is calling on Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward to urgently announce funding for a new CFA station in Charlton, saying the current facility is no longer fit for purpose and is putting response times at risk. The Charlton CFA station, built in 1931, cannot accommodate modern firefighting equipment…
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for delaying, rather than scrapping, its new emergency services tax, saying the move is purely political and provides no real relief for regional communities. “Victorians should not be fooled by this announcement,” Ms Benham said. “This tax has not gone away. Labor…
The Nationals member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has today been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, as part of Jess Wilson’s new Shadow Cabinet announcement. Ms Benham said she was honoured to take on these responsibilities, which align closely with the needs and priorities of the Mallee and wider regional Victoria. “It’s…
The Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has condemned the Allan Labor Government for failing to maintain Victoria’s deteriorating road network, after the Department of Transport and Planning confirmed that of the 196 Victorians who lodged claims last financial year for vehicle damage linked to poor road conditions, only one received compensation. The revelation was…
Dear Editor, The Donald 2000 Melbourne Cup Luncheon was an absolute delight and a fantastic way to spend the public holiday. There was a real buzz in the room, great company, colourful fashions, and that unmistakable community spirit that makes local events memorable. My congratulations go to Jodie Hollis, John McConnville and the entire Donald…
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has once again called for the return of a passenger train service to Mildura, using debate on the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to highlight the lack of public transport options available in the region. Speaking in Parliament, Ms Benham said she would continue to push for the…
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…
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…