Tuesday, 4 March 2025

 Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (13:07): Last weekend the town of Berriwillock’s population, which normally hovers around 180 people, exploded to around 4000, as people descended for the Berriwillock Rodeo. It was an amazing family event, and I want to take a minute to recognise the committee and locals from all over the district, who have done a lot more than just put on a massive event; they have reunited the entire community. They had been fighting amongst themselves – families against families and neighbours against neighbours. Generational farmers have had their voices taken away because of Labor’s reckless road to renewable energy targets, with renewable energy zones and projects like VNI West, wind farms, mineral sand mines and exclusion zones and zero transparency, consultation or right of appeal. Last weekend was an opportunity for everyone to come together, and I hope it is not lost on the committee exactly what they have done.