Council & Politics
22 August, 2026
Treasurer tackles regional issues
NEW Victorian Treasurer Colin Brooks spent Tuesday in Ararat meeting with local business leaders and promising to act on their concerns. Mr Brooks was in Ararat at the invitation of local MP Martha Haylett who wanted Mr Brooks to hear directly from businesses and some of the region’s biggest employers.
Around 20 business people along with council representatives met with the Treasurer at Chalambar Golf Club where a number of topics were covered.
Issues including energy costs, red tape, road conditions, housing shortages, the cost of employing and training apprentices, archaic liquor licencing laws and recovery from natural disasters were discussed at the round table.
“We held a roundtable with local small businesses to hear directly from them about the challenges and opportunities facing rural Victoria,” Ms Haylett said.
“The workers behind these businesses are the backbone of our community. They keep our local economy moving and create opportunities for local families.”
The visit also took the Treasurer to Ararat’s largest manufacturing sites for a tour and to discuss the current business climate and complexities.
Mr Brooks and Ms Haylett met with management at Gason and AME Systems to see their businesses in operation and the innovative ways they operate.
“We visited Gason and AME Systems to see their work in action. Between them, they support hundreds of local workers and have been pillars of our community for decades.”
Ms Haylett said it was important for Mr Brooks to see first hand the great things happening in Ararat and to understand some of the problems faced by businesses.
“It was fantastic to have the new Treasurer in Ararat this week. He has visited our region many times over the years, and this visit was his first since taking over as Treasurer three weeks ago.”
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