I am the convenor of the Wangaratta-Benalla Ostomates Group which covers North East Victoria and I want people to know that our group is here to help anyone who

may need information to assist dealing with living with a Stoma.

This also includes people contemplating Stoma surgery to treat a medical condition.

We are seeking assistance from medical practitioners in the North East requesting they advise their patients of the existence of the Stomal Therapy Service at Northeast Health Wangaratta and of our group.

It is understood that a lot of people have trouble coping with a Stoma because it is a very private and invasive situation.

All of our members understand the need for support and understanding during this period and are only too happy to talk to anyone who is going through this very stressful period and are trying to come to grips with having a stoma for the first time.

If anyone needs to talk or require assistance from the Ostomate group or medical advice you can contact Amanda Forbes or Lizzie Smith who are Stomal therapists at Northeast Health Wangaratta on (03) 5722 5513.

Graeme Pitts, convenor North East Ostomate Support Group

Public school funding inquiry seeking submissions

The Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues committee is inviting public submissions to its inquiry into the impact of the government’s decision to delay increasing Victoria’s public school funding.

The Victorian government has delayed raising the state’s school funding to 75 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard until 2031.

It was previously set to be increased by 2028.

This delay represents a $2.4 billion reduction from previously committed funding for Victorian government schools.

The committee is seeking input from individuals, educators, school communities, organisations and stakeholders on the implications of this funding decision, including:

• Comparative funding levels: State and Commonwealth funding per student in Victorian government schools relative to other states and territories.

• Commonwealth contributions: The impact of the delay on federal funding arrangements.

• Student outcomes: How the funding cut may affect the education of current and future students.

• Workforce effects: Consequences for Victoria’s teaching and school workforce.

• Resources and infrastructure: The ability of schools to purchase educational resources, teaching materials, capital equipment, and maintain buildings and grounds.

Submissions can be made via the committee’s website and are open until Friday, 19 December.

The committee will report its findings to Parliament by 30 April 2026.

Joe McCracken, Western Victoria MP and committee chair

Soft laws letting illicit tobacco trade flourish

Victoria's illicit tobacco trade continues to flourish as the Victorian government fails to stop the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.

Stockists of illegal tobacco are thumbing their nose at the government's ability to enforce its weak laws, with illegal products back on the shelves within 24 hours of a major police raid.

Without enforcement powers like store closures, Victoria will continue to be a safe haven for organised crime gangs.

Victoria is the only state without store-closure powers, allowing organised crime syndicates to keep trading as if nothing has happened.

Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia have all acted, but in Victoria spin has replaced enforcement.

Police and regulators are doing the best they can, but with no power to close illegal traders, the deterrent is non-existent.

Unless these laws are strengthened, we’ll see more crime, more arsons, and sadly, more lives lost.

The Liberals and Nationals will continue to fight for practical, enforceable laws to give police the resources they need.

Tim McCurdy, MP for Ovens Valley and Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs