It was a pleasure to accompany Minister Tierney for a visit to Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and the Berrimba Childcare Centre in Echuca to see the wonderful work they are doing in the early learning space for local kids and their families. It was great to hear from the teachers and educators, and they welcome the…
I did not get quite the warm welcome that my previous colleague got, but thank you anyway. Thank you, Ms Maxwell, for that contribution. I am very pleased to rise to speak on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Offenders and Other Matters) Bill 2019. I want to begin my contribution by congratulating the minister and…
It is with great pleasure I rise to speak on the State Taxation Acts Further Amendment Bill 2019. I am a fan of taxation. I am big fan of taxation because I think taxation, and the taxation system, is an enabler for our community. It provides us with the wealth and the funds to ensure…
I want to begin by paying my respects to the 136 workers represented by the boots on the steps of this Parliament who lost their lives at work over the last five years here in Victoria. We are here debating this bill because the current laws are not enough. They are not enough. Twenty workplace…
Pursuant to section 35 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003, I lay on the table Alert Digest No. 15 of 2019 from the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, including appendices. I move: That the report be published. Motion agreed to. I move: That the Council take note of the report. I just want to…
I am very pleased to rise to speak on the report, Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reforms. Can I also begin by thanking all of the members of the committee for the work that we did collectively, particularly under Mr Elasmar’s stewardship, ably supported by Mr Finn as the deputy chair.…
I am pleased to rise to speak on Mr Limbrick’s motion. It is a bit of a dog day afternoon, isn’t it? We have gone from raccoon dogs to sniffer dogs; I think we will probably have hound-dogs and hot dogs before the end of the day. What this sort of debate does is it…
My constituency question is for the Minister for Education in regard to the latest round of funding for the inclusive schools program. Tyrrell College is a significant local education provider in Sea Lake and surrounds and is hoping to build a new sensory garden. The college has close relationships with local community groups and currently…
Mr Gepp (Northern Victoria) (16:54:32): I want to begin by paying my respects to the 136 workers represented by the boots on the steps of this Parliament who lost their lives at work over the last five years here in Victoria. We are here debating this bill because the current laws are not enough. They…
I too am very pleased to rise to speak on Mr Barton’s bill. I too want to congratulate him for bringing this bill. It seems odd on a Wednesday that we are actually debating something of real substance and public policy importance. We have now got the first 11 and the second 11. When the…
Finally, President, it was a pleasure to recently visit Shepparton and officially reopen Legacy House, which has been refurbished with funding provided in part through the government’s veterans major capital works grant program. Congratulations to Legacy secretary Leonie Wilson, president Bob Mathieson and all Legatees on their refurbished facility.
On another matter, the 2020 netball season is going to be better than ever before at Rochester thanks to a $100 000 contribution from the Andrews Labor government’s country football and netball program for the purpose of new floodlights. It was great to attend the club last Friday and flick the switch on the brighter…
I thank Ms Maxwell for, I know, her interest in this matter. Of course the heart of this project is in our shared electorate, and I know that she is very, very interested, as we all are, in the completion of all the infrastructure projects that the Andrews Labor government has undertaken in Northern Victoria…
In a similar vein, I was thrilled to be in the Mallee recently and particularly in Sea Lake to announce that the local kinder will receive $1.152 million in funding to undertake a major refurbishment of Tyrrell College and extension through the children’s facilities capital program. The upgrade includes a refurbishment of two existing classrooms…
On another matter, I was pleased to join representatives of the Historical Society of Mooroopna, including president Barry Campbell, to unveil a plaque commemorating the Mooroopna railway station’s journey from original construction in 1881 to now. After a fire destroyed the more than 100-year-old station building last year and following extensive community consultation, heritage-style shelters…
On another matter, it was my pleasure to visit Wodonga Senior Secondary College last week to meet with Sue Bell and Koori students to talk all things treaty. The depth of understanding and excitement over the possibilities that treaty will provide was very impressive. My thanks to Sue for facilitating the meeting and my congratulations…
I want to congratulate the wonderful school community at Ardmona Primary School, led by the fantastic principal, Jean Varty, and the firm 1:1 Architects, on being announced as finalists in the 2019 Victorian School Design Awards. I was delighted to join the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, James Merlino, in July to officially open…
It is with great pleasure that I rise to speak on the Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019. Superannuation of course is a great Labor Party legacy to this nation. It has been the Labor Party that has driven the agenda on retirement income from every corner of this great nation. The bill before us today…
I rise to speak on Mr Quilty’s motion about the Murray-Darling Basin. I am not sure if this has been communicated to Mr Quilty or not, but I am authorised to tell him that we will not be supporting his motion today. Perhaps Mr Limbrick could tell him that. Before I deal with the substance…
I rise to make my contribution on the Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 and in doing so state that I will be supporting this bill. As has been mentioned by many of the other speakers, the bill has four main components to it. Firstly, it requires those within religious ministries to make mandatory reports of…