Last week: Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said mobile service centre 'Desert Rose' was coming to the south-west to give people increased access to government services.

The truck will visit towns including Port Campbell, Timboon, Cobden, Camperdown, Mortlake and Derrinallum.

Mr Tehan said residents would welcome Desert Rose as it travels through his electorate over the coming weeks.

"These trucks are purpose-built to replicate a service centre, complete with the latest technology. Staff on board can help with Centrelink claims, Medicare registrations and online services," he said.

"A departmental social worker will be on board, and information about the Department of Veterans' Affairs programs and associated support services will also be available.

"You don't need an appointment, and it's free - so anyone who needs help or has a question should visit the team aboard Desert Rose over the coming weeks."

The south-west federal MP also expressed disappointment after the state government announced it will cease native forest harvesting by 2030.

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said he had always backed the native forestry industry in his electorate and the jobs and communities that the industry supported

"This decision will not only impact those people directly employed by the native forest industry but will affect regional communities and towns," he said

Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie said this decision showed a lack of respect for the forestry industry.

"The Australian Government does not support ending native forest harvesting in Victoria. Our policy for forestry is to support a renewable, sustainable native and plantation forestry industry." she said.

"The Australian Government had been negotiating in good faith with the Victorian Government to extend the Victorian Regional Forest Agreements, to ensure the delivery of environmental, economic and social outcomes in native forests," she said.

Mr Tehan said he believed the RFA was important to deliver good outcomes for the native forestry industry and regional towns and communities.

"I support the Australian Government in seeking to continue these RFAs for as long as the native forestry industry can endure in Victoria," he said.

In other news, Commemorative projects in the south-west may benefit from a funding boost and expanded eligibility of the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

Mr Tehan said the expansion to the STS Grants Program was part of the government's election commitments and will see an extra $10 million allocated over the next four years to continue to honour the service and sacrifice of those who have served their country.

"The STS Grants Program acknowledges and commemorates those who served Australia and its allies in wars, conflicts and peace operations," he said.

"With this in mind, the program has been expanded, increasing the funds available and opening up the eligibility, so more projects can be funded than ever before."

Mr Tehan said the funding increase meant extra opportunities for local projects in Wannon to commemorate their local military heroes.

Thousands of offers are now available to Veteran Card holders in Wannon from businesses across Australia, as part of the Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant which passed Parliament recently.

Mr Tehan said the veteran card was providing the opportunity for businesses and organisations across the country to show their support and recognition of veterans and say, 'thank you for your service'.

"So far around 500 businesses are on board, making more than 10,000 offers available for Veteran Card holders, both over the counter and online," Mr Tehan said.

"The businesses range from small family businesses through to large chains that operate nationally," he said.

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