One meaning that will resonate with most of us is ‘don’t rubbish it’.

Not in the sense you might think I’m alluding to, but in the literal sense.

Members of the Nhill community who spent Australia Day fishing at the Jeparit Weir seem to have got their lines crossed as to the meaning of the national public holiday.

It’s not a celebration of leaving bottles, paper, plastics, soiled toilet tissue, faeces in foam cups or faeces in plastic bottles scattered along the river bank, under bushes or in the grass.

The fish are free, but there is a cost involved – your public image.

I am sure those members of the Jeparit community, some of whom volunteered their time for ‘clean-up’ Australia Day along the river bank, would welcome your swift return with rubbish bags in hand to correct your error of judgement.

Some leadership would be greatly appreciated.

It should not be left up to council or volunteers to clean up your mess.

Happy Australia Day.

ROD CAMERON

Jeparit

I AM proud the Coalition has continued its support for farmers as the Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 passes parliament this week.

The Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 will pass through the lower house this week, banning hydraulic fracturing and placing a legislated moratorium on conventional onshore gas development until June 30, 2020.

The Nationals support the ban on fracking and have always said we would never allow any activity that threatened our land and water resources.

Fracking has never occurred under The Nationals and we have always supported measures to protect our farming future.

The Labor government was a late convert to this support for farmers.

The previous Labor Government issued 23 fracking permits and 73 licences for unconventional gas exploration with zero consultation with our communities.

By contrast, the previous Liberal and Nationals government introduced the moratorium on unconventional gas, banned the use of BTEX chemicals, undertook extensive community consultation and began work on technical studies to measure the status of our groundwater resources.

Victoria’s agricultural industries are the lifeblood of our rural communities and are too valuable to jeopardise.

I have heard firsthand from many residents and landowners in the Lowan electorate who do not want to see fracking in our local area and I am proud to have put their views on the record in my debate contribution yesterday.

EMMA KEALY

Member for Lowan

THE current National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education should be extended, so the funding of a 15-hour kindergarten program for children across the country is guaranteed.

Over the past two years, Australian children have benefited from a 15-hour kinder program courtesy of the agreement, which has seen the federal government allocate $840 million to the states and territories, to support and encourage preschool participation.

The federal government is currently reviewing the agreement, which ceases at the end of the 2017 and is considering ongoing funding arrangements.

Concern has been expressed by early childhood educators and parents, that the funding for the extra five hours may be discontinued, leaving centres and parents to bear the cost of maintaining the 15-hour program.

I shares these concerns and strongly advocate for the federal government to commit to the funding.

I feel very strongly that all children should have access to a 15-hour kindergarten program because quality preschool sets the foundations for good educational and social development outcomes.

For our low-income families this funding is extremely important – it is the difference between their children receiving an early childhood education and missing out.

It is crucial that all children, regardless of where they live and how much their parents earn, have access to an education that will support them in their future learning.

The children of today are the future of this country and we must help them to gain all the skills and confidence they will need to have productive lives and lead Australia forward.

The state and territory governments are responsible for funding early childhood education, with the federal government providing ‘top up’ contributions, to help improve participation rates.

The agreement has been part of that top up and it has delivered significant benefits.

The federal government has acknowledged the importance of funding certainty for the sector and families with young children and has said future arrangements will be announced well in advance of the 2018 school year.

Kinder makes a difference to long term outcomes for children and I see this funding as a vital investment in the future of this country and I will not shy away from voicing my opinion.

ANDREW BROAD

Member for Mallee