15/04/2026
We welcome this important advocacy from Jade Benham, highlighting a critical issue for regional communities.
When someone dies, there is an immediate need for care—this cannot be delayed.
Funeral services support families at one of the most vulnerable times and play a vital role alongside hospitals, aged care and the coronial system. Yet, we are not consistently recognised as an essential service within emergency planning frameworks.
Without that recognition, there is a real risk that access to fuel—particularly in regional areas—could be limited when it is needed most.
We support the call for the Victorian Government, led by Jacinta Allan, to provide clear assurance that funeral service providers will have access to fuel to continue serving families without disruption.
This is not about industry—it is about ensuring families receive timely, dignified care when it matters most.
Apr152026Media ReleasesThe Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has questioned Premier Jacinta Allan on whether the Victorian Government will recognise funeral services as an essential service within legislative and emergency planning frameworks. A Mildura funeral home director recently con...