Monday, 22 June 2026

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has raised concerns in Parliament over what he says is a lack of State Government support for bush nursing centres, warning that communities are increasingly being forced to fundraise to keep essential health services operating.

Mr Bull said several East Gippsland bush nursing centres were already reducing services because government funding was not keeping pace with rising costs and this meant communities were being asked to contribute more at a time when the State Government is continuing to increase taxes on these same people.

“The Dargo Bush Nursing Centre has recently cut back one day a week and is now only open four days a week,” Mr Bull said.

“The Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre has also ceased its after-hours and weekend services.

”“These are remote communities where access to alternative healthcare options is limited, and residents rely heavily on these facilities because it’s a long way to other health services.

”Mr Bull also highlighted the ongoing struggle faced by the Buchan Bush Nursing Centre, which has twice been unsuccessful in securing funding to rebuild its ageing facility.

“They have already purchased the land and have now lodged a third application in the hope of finally receiving support,” he said.

“These centres are certainly not alone. There are many across Victoria facing similar challenges.

”“Regional communities have always been incredibly generous and supportive of their local bush nursing centres, but there is a limit to how much can reasonably be expected of them.

”“At a time when Victorians are already battling a cost-of-living crisis, with higher household bills, increased insurance costs and rising day-to-day expenses, it is unfair to expect communities to continually dig deeper into their own pockets.

”Mr Bull said the issue ultimately reflected broader budget pressures facing Victoria.

“By the Government’s own budget papers, Victoria is heading towards a state debt of almost $200 billion, with interest repayments reaching around $28 million every day,” he said.

“The consequence of that is that important services are missing out.

”“Bush nursing centres provide onsite nursing care, support older residents and reduce pressure on larger health services. They are not a luxury; they are often the only accessible healthcare option and are an essential part of healthcare delivery in regional Victoria.

”“Our communities have done their part for many years. It is time for the State Government to do theirs.

”Mr Bull said only a change of government in November would provide an opportunity to properly address the long-term funding challenges facing regional healthcare services.

Caption: Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says bush nursing centres should not have to rely on community fundraising to make up for inadequate State Government funding.

15 June 2026

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is seeking an explanation from the Minister for Education over what appears to be a dramatic and ‘obscene’ increase in the cost of school toilet block projects.

He said it was symptomatic of this government’s wasteful spending.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Bull questioned why a complete demolition and rebuild of the toilet block at Metung Primary School in 2020 cost $146,000, while more recent projects involving simple refurbishments at Tambo Upper Primary School and Lakes Entrance Primary School have reportedly cost around $500,000 each.

"At Metung Primary School we saw a complete demolition and rebuild of the toilet block costed at $146,000," Mr Bull said.

"More recently, we have seen simple refurbishments at Tambo Upper and Lakes Entrance primary schools costing around half a million dollars. That is roughly the cost of building a new four-bedroom home in country Victoria, yet these projects were refurbishments rather than complete rebuilds."

Mr Bull said local communities deserved an explanation as to why costs had escalated so significantly in a relatively short period of time.

"I appreciate that construction costs have increased over recent years, but $500,000 for refurbishments raises major alarm bells," he said.

"My constituency question to the Minister for Education seeks a detailed explanation for these cost increases and what factors have contributed to them."

"When local schools require upgrades, everyone wants to see those works completed, but the community is entitled to understand why costs have increased to this extent and whether taxpayers are getting the best possible value," he said.

Mr Bull has asked the Minister for Education to provide an explanation for the substantial increases and high overall costs.

Caption: Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has questioned the soaring cost of local school upgrades in State Parliament.

Young people across the electorate are being urged to put forward their ideas and perspectives as part of the 2026 Parliament Prize competition.
The annual initiative, run by the Parliament of Victoria, gives students the opportunity to step into the shoes of a Member of Parliament by creating a 90-second video outlining an issue they believe deserves attention.
State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the competition was an excellent way for students to learn about the democratic process while expressing their views on topics important to them.
"Young people often have fresh ideas and a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing their communities," he said.
"The Parliament Prize provides a platform for students to share those ideas and gain a better understanding of how Parliament works."
Mr Bull said students could focus on any issue they were passionate about, whether it related to their school, local community, environment, sport, health, transport or broader state and national matters.
"There is no shortage of issues that young people care deeply about, and this competition gives them an opportunity to speak up and be heard," he said.
"East Gippsland students have performed extremely well in previous years, and I would love to see that success continue in 2026."
The competition is open to Victorian students from Grade five through to Year 12 and is divided into three age categories.
Students are invited to submit a short video in the style of a parliamentary Member's Statement, explaining an issue of importance and why it deserves attention.
Prizes are awarded to placegetters in each category, with students and their schools sharing in the rewards. First-place winners receive $500, second-place winners receive $250 and third-place winners receive $150, while participating schools also receive funding to support civics and citizenship education.
Mr Bull encouraged schools, teachers and parents to support students interested in entering.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop confidence, communication skills and a deeper understanding of our democratic system," he said.
"I encourage students from right across East Gippsland to get involved and showcase the ideas and talent we have in our region."
Entries close in June and further information, including entry details and competition guidelines, can be found on the Parliament of Victoria website.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has demanded answers from the State Government over unexplained delays to the Mallacoota Ambulance Station rebuild, warning the project risks becoming another example of a promised regional infrastructure project left sitting idle.

He said despite funding being announced and planning approval secured in 2023 and then approved in a VCAT appeal in 2025, there has been no sign of construction commencing on the much-needed replacement station.

“I raised the issue directly with the Minister in State Parliament weeks ago, explaining the community deserves an explanation, but have not had the courtesy of a response, which makes it even more bewildering,” Mr Bull said.

"At some point, the Government needs to explain what is holding this project up and where the money has gone. There are whispers the funds have been reallocated, but whatever has happened we need some openness.”

Mr Bull said local residents and paramedics were increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress and communication.

"People can accept delays if there is a genuine reason and if they are kept informed, but right now the community is hearing very little and seeing even less," he said.

“And this is a government with a poor track record. It promised a big native tree nursery in Nowa Nowa that never happened, it promised the Marlo-Conran bike path that never happened and it promised a massive electric car manufacturing plant for the Latrobe Valley that never happened – and this is without mentioning the Commonwealth Games.

“Let’s hope this project is not added to that increasing list of broken promises,” he said.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has supported the Victorian Government's decision to reject proposed firearm ownership caps following the independent review of Victoria's firearms laws.

The rapid review was launched by the State following the tragic Bondi attack. While one the gunman was a licensed firearm owner (the younger perpetrator was unlicensed), the incident prompted a broad examination of Victoria's firearms framework.

The review, led by former Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay AO APM, received more than 500 submissions and included 40 face-to-face consultations across Victoria, including a forum run by Mr Bull in East Gippsland.

Mr Bull said the outcome demonstrated that community consultation can make a difference.

“In that forum it was made clear that gun caps were not something that was palatable, or workable,” he said.

“Some sporting shooters require up to eight firearms to compete in a single discipline, while those involved in vermin control need access to a range of calibre-specific firearms to do their jobs effectively. Having the choice of the right firearm for the task supports better safety outcomes.

"It was also highlighted that firearm limits could unintentionally restrict opportunities for young people involved in shooting sports.

“Because firearms used by those under 18 must be registered under a parent's licence, proposed caps could have forced families to choose between supporting a child's participation in organised shooting sports or retaining firearms required for farming, recreation or preserving family heirlooms.

"I'm proud of what our East Gippsland forum contributed. We had farmers, elite sporting shooters, parents, hunters and business operators all providing practical, real-world insight.

"Reducing the number of legally owned firearms would not stop criminals obtaining illegal weapons, nor would it have prevented tragedies such as the Bondi attack,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull noted that other recommendations included measures to modernise classifications, strengthen eligibility requirements and improve oversight and intelligence sharing.

"This process shows you can strengthen laws and improve community safety while still listening to responsible licence holders who do the right thing every day.

"I thank everyone from East Gippsland who took the time to participate in the consultation process and ensure regional voices were heard," he said.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured at Gunsport Trading Bairnsdale, with owner, Andrew Lind.

Monday, 1 June 2026

Gippsland communities stand to benefit from a significant boost in infrastructure investment under a commitment by The Nationals to ensure regional Victoria receives its guaranteed fair share of future government spending.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said while he had been able to attract funds for projects into the region from this government, it was clear the regions were not getting their fair share, and The Nationals will change that.

“Country Victoria has 25 per cent of the population, so should receive 25 per cent of the spend, but at present it is only getting 12 per cent under this city-centric government – and we will change that,” Mr Bull said.

"I’ve been happy to knock on Minister’s doors and get funding and approvals for some important projects in our region, but the reality is that across the board we have watched major funding announcements flow to Melbourne while other important local priorities have been left waiting.

"Regional communities continue to face infrastructure shortfalls in roads, health services, education facilities and community assets.

"Our commitment is simple: if regional Victoria is home to one in four Victorians, it should receive one in four dollars of new infrastructure investment.

"We have had some good wins through strong advocacy from the Gippsland Nationals team, but projects that have been talked about for years should not continually be pushed down the priority list. We deserve our fair share.

“The independent Parliamentary Budget Office highlighted the extent of the imbalance (only 12 per cent coming to the regions) and given we are all paying our taxes, we should get our share back,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service - where infrastructure funding is needed to expand the emergency department.

Monday, 1 June 2026