Major issues relating to water will be the focus of a tour of irrigation areas of the Murray Valley Electorate, including Numurkah, Strathmerton, Cobram, Katamatite and Yarrawonga tomorrow, July 13 2010, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, said today.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Member for Swan Hill and Coalition Water spokesman, Peter Walsh, will join Mr Jasper and The Nationals candidate for Murray Valley at the next State election, Tim McCurdy, to gain further information on the devastating impact of major changes to water entitlements and availability being implemented by the State and Federal Governments.

Mr Jasper said changes to water entitlements, including the buy back of water rights by the Federal Government, will clearly result in a major reduction in the availability of water to what is part of the food bowl of Australia.

Wangaratta’s Jade Knight has been announced a winner of The Nationals Scholarship for Young Leaders for 2010, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, said today.

Mr Jasper said Jade, who is undertaking a Bachelor of Education [prep-year 12] at the University of Ballarat, is one of three students selected for this year’s award, established to assist students in regional Victoria in their first year of tertiary studies.

Presenting Jade with a cheque for $1667, The Nationals Candidate for Murray Valley, Tim McCurdy, said in her scholarship application Jade, a life long resident of Wangaratta, had demonstrated her commitment to regional life by her active involvement in The Ovens and King Netball Association, Wangaratta Pony Club and Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club.

State Nationals Parliamentarians from all Australian States will meet in Darwin this week to discuss a wide range of issues of concern for rural and regional Australians, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, said today.

COSP secretary since 1983, Mr Jasper said the annual Conference of State Parliamentarians provides a great opportunity for like-minded MPs from across Australia to get together to raise concerns, particularly matters relating to the effects of State and Federal Government policies on country Australia.

The Conference, held in a different State each year, was held in Melbourne last year and was a great success, he said.

The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, has called on the Victorian Government to immediately review its funding for Landcare and match the opposition Coalition’s commitment.

Speaking in the Victorian Parliament, Mr Jasper highlighted the benefits the Landcare movement had brought to the land, the landscape and the environment.

He said that at a time when primary producers are battling for survival because of earlier dry and drought conditions, it was extremely disappointing to see reduced funding being provided for Landcare organisations and for Landcare Co-ordinators.