Benambra Labor

Linda White was a champion for workers rights, and fought tirelessly to address inequality experienced by women, and for the National Anti-Corruption Commision. She has been such an integral part of the Victorian Labor Party with her work on internal governance, including affirmative action targets and her work in recent challenging times. The Party and the labour movement at large will feel the impact of her leadership and guidance for many years to come.

Breaking News: Allan Labor Government has gazetted seven single-councillor wards for the Wodonga Local Government Area. Beginning after this years local elections, voters will be able to elect councillors who directly represent their local interests.

Here's what you need to know 👇
- This October, Wodonga residents will vote for people to represent one of seven areas. Wodonga City is represented by 3 councillors, and outer areas Baranduda, Ebden, Bonegilla etc will be represented by 4 - meaning Wodonga City councillors will have to work with outer locations to pass motions and get things done.
- Councillors will be able to advocate for infrastructure and services directly for their own neighbourhoods.
- Local community members with little existing political power/capital will have more opportunity to become elected, as only having to campaign in one area lowers the tangible and intangible cost of entry.

The majority of submissions to the VEC from local residents not only endorsed single-councillor wards, but also the model that was decided upon by Minster for Local Government Melissa Horne, showing Labor's commitment to hearing local voices about how we think local government should be run.

Cr Mildren's comments are out of step with community voices, stating that Wodonga has a "homogeneous" demographic, therefore is not suited for single-councillor wards. Even if he wasn't wrong, he's still missing the point - when the role of councillor is part-time, this change allows elected representatives more time to focus on their community.

Benambra Labor stands in solidarity with United Workers Union striking at Kiewa dairy plant - the first industrial action at the plant in 20 years. This is one of many strikes happening in Victoria with 1400 members across the state.

"All we want is a fair wage increase, plus they're trying to take conditions off us - we just want a fair go, you know" - Andrew "Snags" Cameron

Join your union today.

The date is set! On the 14th of October, Australians will have the opportunity to acknowledge 65,000 years of culture, and constitutionally entrench a Voice to Parliament, who will engage at the highest levels of government to improve health, education, and justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Here's what you can do between now and October;

- Have positive conversations with your friends, family, workplaces, and networks
- Put up a Yes! corflute in your front yard
- Sign up with Yes23 to letterbox and doorknock
& finally register with us to man polling booths on the day!

For more information, reach us at our email or message the page. Share this post around if you know anyone who wants to show your support on the day by committing to staffing a booth for a few hours.

The Albury and Wodonga Projects are the future of social services - staff and organisations with local knowledge and focused on prevention in our young people. Both Victorian and New South Wales governments need to continue funding these absolutely vital services.

Fingers crossed: Albury schools wait for news on vital youth project "Having Albury Project workers based in the school - as part of the school - is crucial ."

Running a business and want to show your support for the upcoming referendum? Benambra Labor has a whole stack of posters, information booklets, bumper stickers that would look a lot better in a window than in the box. Get in touch with the page or through our email if you have a free spot in your storefront that you want to use to help make the country a better place!

viclabor.com.au

Thank you to Senator Linda White for coming to Wodonga to meet with members from Wodonga, Beechworth, Wangaratta & Benalla as well as a couple of blow-ins from Albury to talk National Conference, election reviews, and the governments agenda on housing and industrial relations. Our members are passionate and Linda heard from all of us on issues like cross-border co-operation and membership in regional Vic.

Mitch is going live at 2 PM today for the public hearing regarding Wodonga Council LGA ward boundaries. Register to tune in and hear our submission in more detail 👇

Wodonga City Council electoral structure review The electoral structure of Wodonga City Council is being reviewed in 2023. Public submissions closed on 26 July 2023.

The branch has made our submission to the VEC regarding a shift towards single-councillor wards. Here are the key points 👇

Increasing representation is a good thing, and we believe that no matter where you live in the Wodonga LGA, you deserve equal representation to those in the city. You deserve councillors& candidates that aren't just aware of the issues in your area, they share your experience.

We've supported a model that captures the diversity of our rural areas, and accommodates for population growth in Leneva and Baranduda, as well as takes into account the distance between the eastern and southern parts of the LGA.

The model we've supported gives non-central areas more weight on the council – this will ensure that these areas are not subject to the will of the simple majority, and play a more active role in the decision making process.

We reject that council will "become political". Government is politics and shifting to single-councillor wards will only increase the local representation. This change will introduce complexity to local gvt, but the benefit is fairer representation for those beyond the barracks.

We're preparing a submission to the VEC regarding the structure of the council in the City of Wodonga LGA. If you have recommendations and ideas about the ideal make-up of the new council and wards, please tell us👇

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