“It’s ridiculous that we have record fuel loads in our bush, yet Victorians are facing a firewood shortage.”

That was the message from Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, in State Parliament recently.

“When the government shut down the native timber industry, it removed the state’s biggest provider of commercial firewood - and has done nothing to fix the shortage. In fact, its policies have made it worse,” Mr Bull said.

“A week after the latest firewood collection season opened, there was no wood available in the designated collection zones. So, while our bush is full of fallen timber and debris, people can’t collect it because of government policy.”

Mr Bull said a practical, common-sense approach would allow people to collect firewood while at the same time reducing bushfire fuel loads.

“With some sensible oversight, one problem could help fix the other, but that seems too logical for this Environment Minister,” he said.

“Instead, there’s little or no wood in the official collection areas and only limited commercial supply because of Labor’s timber decision.

“People are now faced with two options: collect illegally or go cold next winter - and many are choosing the first out of necessity.”

Mr Bull said the situation reflected a Minister “with no real understanding of his portfolio”.

“A simple policy change could solve this. The one thing we should never run out of in East Gippsland is firewood,” he said.

Caption: Local State Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull says there is no reason Victorians should have trouble accessing firewood while we have record fuel loads in the bush.

Friday, 31 October 2025

The move to establish several new national parks in Victoria has been opposed by the State Liberals and Nationals.

Speaking on the legislation, which creates additional national parks predominantly in the west of the state, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said it was ludicrous to expand the parks’ network when the existing one is already neglected.

“In addition to a lack of control across the current network, we are seeing staff cuts within Parks Victoria. How can we expect fewer staff to manage a bigger system when the one we already have is out of control?” Mr Bull said.

He told Parliament that Victoria’s parks are being overrun by pests plants and weeds such as blackberry, English broom, African Lovegrass and serrated tussock.

“These species outcompete native flora, degrade habitat and increase fire risk by creating dense, flammable understorey. When we raise these matters, we’re told there’s no money for control efforts, yet the government is expanding the network,” he said.

He added that pest animals are also rampant.

“Sambar deer, foxes, wild dogs, pigs and rabbits are causing widespread environmental damage. Pigs are arguably the most serious threat, with their rapid spread encroaching on farmland and spreading disease.”

“They’re destroying native vegetation, threatening biodiversity and undermining the ecological objectives of the parks themselves.”

Mr Bull said that over the past decade under Labor, Victoria’s park estate has grown by 20 per cent, while operational funding and ranger numbers have both fallen.

“How is that ever going to end well?” he said.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says Labor’s move to expand the national park network in Victoria is ludicrous when it already neglects the parks what we have.

Friday, 31 October 2025

East Gippslanders were told when the Thurra River Bridge re-opened, the campground opening would be concurrent, but that is not the case as the region faces another summer without campers in the area.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, asked the Minister to ensure the big campground on the south-side of the bridge was open for the Christmas holidays.

“The community was told the campground would be ready to go when the bridge opened for the September school holidays.

“Although the bridge was still closed when the holidays ended, access is imminent, but the campground is still off limits and campers cannot book for this summer.

“This is not what the community was told and given it has been six years, we need the Minister to step in and have the process expedited after all this time.

“Businesses in towns like Cann River rely on these campgrounds being open and this is the second biggest in our region, so it is of strong significance.”

Mr Bull said he was aware a new smaller campground had been opened on the north side of the bridge, but the community wanted the big campground open for the summer holiday period.

“It is beyond a joke we are on the cusp of six years, and we are still being held up by various approvals being needed. These should have been resolved years ago,” he said.

Caption: Thurra River Campground remains closed and locked from the public despite Labor’s promise to reopen by September. Six years on from the fires, burnt debris still litters the site. Nationals MP Tim Bull demands a firm commitment to reopen by summer.

Monday, 27 October 2025

The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has told State Parliament that government policy is setting Victorians up for another mega-fire.

Speaking on the Parlk and Public Land Legislation Bill, Mr Bull outlined how government decisions have increased fire risk across the state.

“The Bushfire Royal Commission - the highest form of inquiry in this country, led by the most pre-eminent experts – recommended a minimum of 5 per cent of the bush be burned annually to provide a basic level of safety,” he said.

“This government, however, is burning less than a quarter of that recommendation, and has been doing so for years.”

Mr Bull said Labor replaced the Royal Commission’s recommendation with a figure produced by an internal review overseen by one of its own bureaucrats.

“It took the advice it wanted to hear, not what the experts recommended. The result was the 2019–20 mega-fire. The experts warned this would happen when fuel loads got to that level - and now, six years later, the situation in many areas is even worse due to highly flammable regrowth.”

He said the government’s so-called Safer Together policy had delivered the opposite outcome.

“Fuel loads are again at record levels. If we dodge a bullet this year, it will only be luck - another mega-fire is inevitable if the work isn’t done. It cannot end any other way with record fuel loads, there is no other possible outcome,” he said.

Mr Bull added that while climate change often gets blamed, the real problem is fuel build-up.

“I'm not a climate change sceptic, but regardless of whether the climate trends warmer or cooler, unmanaged fuel loads combined with lightning strikes and hot summers will inevitably lead to larger, more dangerous bushfire.

“Regular fuel reduction gives our firefighters a fighting chance, but not at the current fuel load levels,” he said.

Caption: State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is advocating for more fire mitigation efforts in the region to lessen fuel loads in the bush.

Monday, 27 October 2025

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging local sporting clubs to take advantage of the latest round of the Sporting Club Grants Program, with applications closing 26 November 2025.

“This program provides valuable support to our local clubs, helping volunteers, coaches and officials build their skills, while also assisting with uniforms, equipment and program delivery,” Mr Bull said.

The program offers a range of funding opportunities across five categories:

• On-field Uniforms or Equipment - Up to $1,000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, and safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment.
• Volunteers and Officials - Up to $5,000 for projects that improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches and/or officials, and projects that improve volunteer retention.
• Access and Engagement - Up to $5,000 to deliver a series of sport sessions for adult participants, or up to $2,500 to host a single-session event for children and young people.
• Travel - Up to $750 to help with travel costs for athletes selected for representative competition, selection trials or training camps.
• Governance and Engagement - Up to $1,500 to strengthen governance practices and ensure long-term sustainability.

“I encourage all local sporting clubs to have a look at what support is available and submit an application before the closing date,” Mr Bull said.

For more information and to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Monday 27 October 2025

The Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, has been asked to step in and take stronger action with illegal campers living on the banks of the Snowy River between Orbost and Marlo.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he had been contacted by a number of locals and community groups seeking stronger enforcement action be taken.

“I have had a number of reports that these illegal campers are leaving these areas unkempt and they are locations that are usually occupied by visitors to the area.

“Mr preliminary advice is that Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have to issue notices to vacate that last for 28 days and have to issue them to each individual, so it becomes hard to police.

“I am aware DEECA, police and the housing department have met and the welfare of those involved needs to be overseen.

“At the same time, this is an area that has had too many kicks in the guts from this government and local businesses are struggling, so you cannot afford to have public areas for visitors permanently occupied.

“This impacts on the local small business sector and therefore employment.

“I have asked the Minister to step in and ensure that the areas are vacated for tourists to the area and the welfare of those involved is secured.”

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is working with local authorities to ensure illegal campers do not occupy the popular sites on the banks of the Snowy River this upcoming holiday season and they are available for tourists to the region who support our small businesses and local economy.

Monday, 20 October 2025