Victoria's second straight "doughnut day" of zero new coronavirus cases on Tuesday has left some happy with the ability to ease restrictions, but other North East MPs still want more.
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Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes was among those feeling positive, joking in Parliament that she hoped "there is an excuse to have a doughnut every day for days to come" and talking up the benefits of removing the "ring of steel" between Melbourne and the regions.
"We are on track to be one state again soon, which is a relief for Melburnians and great news for some of the sectors hit hardest in regional Victoria, like tourism," she said.
"The government is getting shovels in the ground and people back to work as we speak."
Ms Symes listed eco-accommodation at Mount Buffalo in partnership with the traditional owners and an upgrade to Benalla's foreshore and some of the regional projects to help business growth and attract new residents.
But she would not reveal when Victoria's budget would be handed down, only saying it would be "later this year" and "continuing the task of economic recovery".
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Meanwhile, Liberal-Democrat Tim Quilty asked Health Minister Martin Foley when regional dance schools would be allowed to open fully because businesses like MT Dance Creative in Wodonga are struggling to survive.
"When will you trust dance schools to manage their COVID risks safely so they can teach young kids to dance again?" he said in Parliament.
In a statement following the question, Mr Quilty said virtual dance lessons were being offered by owners, but were never going to be enough to capture the attention of young people.
"They had to watch their enrollment numbers fall away but, to their credit, they have been fighting hard to keep their business alive," he said.
"This latest announcement allowing up to 20 people, which includes supporting parents, is not enough to get businesses back up and running.
"It's so disappointing to see the enthusiasm and determination of these two young women put to the test by lazy, one-size-fits-all Victorian government policies."