Portfolio — 31 July 2026

The dominant discourse arc for Ovens Valley in this window is community-level engagement across disability employment, youth support, road safety, and firearms regulation — a mix that reflects both the district's geographic breadth and the Member for Ovens Valley's coalition of local concerns during the winter recess.

The most structurally significant Assembly act in the window is a petition tabled by Mr McCurdy on behalf of 135 residents of Yarrawonga and Mulwala, requesting that the Minister for Roads and Road Safety urgently assess and fund safety upgrades at the intersection of Murray Valley Highway and Frank Drive [TA-260730-vichns-06b70b591935:s001]. The petitioners attribute the hazard to increased traffic generated by new retail developments near the intersection, citing frequent near misses and accidents.

The petition is the sole formal parliamentary instrument in the window and gives the road safety concern a direct channel to the responsible minister.

Across the recess, the Member attended the launch of a second mini Woolies supermarket at Villa Maria Catholic Homes in Wangaratta — a training facility for young people with disabilities operating in partnership with Woolworths [TA-260730-vichns-06b70b591935:s013]. The Member commended the program for developing workforce skills among people facing employment barriers.

Earlier in the recess he spoke to the Myrtleford U3A about Parliament's role and assisted North East Support and Action for Youth with a fundraising sausage sale at Bunnings in Wangaratta [TA-260730-vichns-06b70b591935:s011], and he described NESAY's work providing independent living skills and education engagement programs to young people and families across north-east Victoria.

The Member also announced a forthcoming forum at Wangaratta Turf Club with Senator Bridget McKenzie to discuss firearm owners' rights, stating that lawful gun owners face undue scrutiny following events including the Bondi Beach shootings [TA-260730-vichns-06b70b591935:s014]. The forum signals an intent to convene a district-level platform on firearms regulation, a policy domain that sits primarily with the Victorian Government's police and community safety portfolio.