Even some government offices could be moved to regional locations that fit the office. As for councils, they must be about more than rates, roads and rubbish but it is correct that it is unfair to blame them.

But they could be more vocal about the above issues and have some planning to capture potential.

The wonders/abundance of our region are still something I am so happy to live amongst and it can attract self-funding retirees out of the city and incentives for those who want to should be considered by state and federal governments.

There are too many asset-rich, cash-poor people in big cities who get the aged pension. Attracting these people would help ailing retail and would create some jobs. It may also bring some entrepreneurs who invest in our region.

It is too easy to give up and just let things roll along as they are. From the Alps to the Murray River we have so many fine features that should attract tourists.

I welcome the federal Coalition Government’s plan to introduce legislation to protect the CFA against Labor’s destructive enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA).

The Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers Bill will be introduced in the first sitting of Federal Parliament and will move to protect the role of volunteer firefighters and the power of the Chief Fire Officer.

The move comes as the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria prepare to challenge the current EBA in the Supreme Court over the legality of veto clauses which transfers power from the CFA’s chief fire officer to the United Firefighters Union. The legislation will ensure any EBA that affects emergency service volunteers, including the State Emergency Service, will not restrict volunteers from doing what they do best – protecting Victorian families.

This legislation will make it more difficult for Victorian premier Daniel Andrews to put the demands of the United Firefighters Union ahead of the interests of the volunteers.

I particularly thank my Nationals’ colleagues Damian Drum, Darren Chester, Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Broad who I know have been advocating strongly for this legislation that will prevent Daniel Andrews from contravening the CFA Act 1958 which protects CFA volunteerism.

It is a sad day when our CFA volunteers have to rely on the intervention of the federal government to give them the respect they deserve. Our local CFA volunteers are there when we need them most. We will not allow Daniel Andrews to trample over them so he can pay his political debts.

With stunned reference to the Racial Discrimination Act, infamous Section 18C, a law passed, telling us that we cannot say anything ‘reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group of people because of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin’.

To learn that free speech in Australia is not a priority for this government has me absolutely gutted. Free speech is a basic human right, surely – or has been in our country until this totalitarian law was passed out of the blue. This jack-boot-type utterance is a real kick in the electorate's you-know-what.

Soon it will be impossible to tell one of the many hoary old jokes which begin with: “an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman went into a pub,” because it will be deemed likely that some wimp or other will be offended.  I'm not kidding. 

Legal firms are already rubbing their hands in anticipation.