Thanks for support
I EXPRESS my deep appreciation to readers across Victoria who supported The Smith Family’s 2026 Back to School Appeal.
This is the fourth year in a row the cost-of-living crisis has weighed on families at the start of the new school year. We know that financial challenges faced by families can make it harder for them to support their children’s education, often exacerbating the gap in learning outcomes between children living with poverty and their more advantaged peers.
The willingness of media to highlight the importance of the Back to School Appeal has meant we reached our target for new sponsors acquired. This generosity will make a world of difference for more than 4000 students who will now have access to our evidence-based and life-changing Learning for Life education program, which provides financial assistance, personal support and access to learning and mentoring programs to children and young people.
Our vision is a world where every child has the opportunity to change their future and we believe education is one of the most powerful tools to achieve this.
Overcoming educational inequality should be a national priority, and an investment in a student today will pay dividends in all our futures.
So, to everyone who generously contributed to our appeal and signed up as a sponsor – our heartfelt thanks.
Doug Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
The Smith Family
Crime in regional areas
The State Government’s crime crisis is tearing at the heart of regional Victoria.
Beyond the tobacco store fire-bombings, the knife crime, and diesel being stolen from farmers, Labor’s soft approach on crime has now seen our CFA heroes targeted.
Last Wednesday night, Browns Plains CFA and Carlyle CFA had chainsaws stolen.
On Easter Sunday morning, thieves broke into the Terip Terip CFA station and stole fuel, chainsaws, fire pumps, a radio and charging stations. Terip Terip CFA volunteers bravely fought the Longwood bushfires. Some brigade members lost homes, sheds, and animals. And now they have to endure this.
There are 1500 vacancies on police rosters and more than 40 stations closed or operating on reduced hours. In 2025, a total of 630,592 crimes were committed – the equivalent of one crime every 50 seconds.
Things must change
The Nationals have a clear plan to keep Victorians safe. We will legislate Jack’s Law to empower police to get machetes off the streets, we will introduce Break Bail, Face Jail for repeat offenders, and we will invest in youth diversion programs to steer young people away from crime.
The Allan Government cannot manage crime, and regional Victorians are paying the price.
Danny O’Brien MP
Leader of The Nationals
