Gippsland local news briefing, October 1, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in Gippsland today.

One Nation candidate for Eastern Victoria Greg Hansford has withdrawn from the state election due to a serious health issue.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, One Nation said Mr Hansford's health was the party's priority and it was working to select a replacement candidate.

Mr Hansford ran as the One Nation candidate for the seat of Gippsland at the 2025 federal election, securing more than 14 per cent of first preference votes.

Police are appealing for information about machinery thefts in Gippsland, including the alleged theft of an excavator worth about $100,000 in Nyora.

Latrobe Valley police said several pieces of machinery were stolen from a house on Sydney Cottages Road in Flynn on the night of September 24.

They said two tractors, a buggy, a tandem trailer and assorted tools were taken.

In a separate incident, Bass Coast police said offenders allegedly rammed through a farm gate and stole a yellow excavator on August 31 at about 7pm.

Anyone with information or dash camera footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor says Australia should use its natural resources, including coal and gas, to bring down the cost of living and energy.

Mr Taylor was in Warragul on Wednesday, where he visited Baw Baw Food Relief and toured a local business.

He said a federal Liberal government would remove net zero targets and the ban on nuclear power, and keep coal-fired power stations open beyond their current closure dates.

"We need to keep our coal-fired power stations open until there is an appropriate replacement," he said.

Disability advocates say some families may be confused as the new Thriving Kids support program for children begins rolling out today.

The program will offer community-based early help for children under nine with autism and low to moderate support needs, or developmental delay.

But Children and Young People with Disability Australia said it was still unclear where families should turn, and warned some children could fall through the cracks.

Children and Young People with Disability Australia board chair Ebe Gannon Davey said there was still an information gap and families needed transparency and accountability.

The East Gippsland Shire Council says newly adopted structure plans for Omeo and Swifts Creek will provide planning direction for the towns.

The plans prioritise support for the local economy and a diverse range of housing, but do not recommend extensive growth.

Issues identified included flood zones, sewerage restrictions and limited employment options.

Councillor Sonia Buckley said the towns needed guidance as they evolved, especially during the timber industry transition.

She said the framework would be important for the future of the high-country communities.

The Isolated Children's Parents' Association says the federal government must fix barriers rural and remote families face getting their children to school.

The association said many remote families were forced to choose between one parent giving up work to teach their children, hiring a home-based teacher or paying boarding school fees.

Isolated Children's Parents' Association vice-president Sally Brindal said not being able to access mainstream daily education put pressure on families through financial and location pressures, and could force them to relocate.