Mr GEPP (Northern Victoria): In August last year, I had the great pleasure of accompanying the Premier, Dan Andrews, and Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos to Mildura for the wonderful announcement that the Mildura Base Hospital would be returning to public management. Accompanied by some outstanding members of the Mildura community we announced what many…
GEPP (Northern Victoria) (11:54): When I first came into this place, people always said to me, ‘Be careful of Wednesdays’. Maybe that is the contrast between the last Parliament and this one, because it is wonderful to actually come here to discuss and debate some really good public policy propositions. I congratulate Mr Meddick on bringing…
MR GEPP (Northern Victoria) (10:03): I want to continue on the health theme raised by Ms Shing in her contribution and by Ms Maxwell. I want to tell you about a fantastic good-news story in my electorate of Northern Victoria. It is about an equine assisted learning centre in Trentham that is called Path of the Horse.…
We have heard three contributions from our friends opposite on this bill, and three wildly different propositions have been advanced. I will come back and talk about some of those—but I rise to make my contribution on the Wage Theft Bill 2020. The bill before us today fulfils yet another election promise made by the…
MR GEPP (Northern Victoria) (10:00): I rise to pay tribute to one of Woodend’s most active and committed residents, Sheila Drummond, who sadly passed away over the weekend. Sheila was a driving force behind the Woodend Winter Arts Festival. Her contacts in the literary world were impeccable and contributed greatly to the programming each year.…
GEPP (Northern Victoria) (20:18): Wow, bipartisanship was left at the door, wasn’t it? The bipartisanship that was on display earlier today has quickly disappeared. It is breathtaking, I have got to say, the arrogance of this motion before the house that somehow seven politicians can sit in judgement again through another inquiry into fire when…
MR GEPP (Northern Victoria) (17:26): I too rise to speak on the inquiry into the impact of animal rights activism on Victorian agriculture. I want to begin by congratulating Mr Elasmar for his stewardship of a very emotional and difficult inquiry, I have got to say. We heard from many people throughout the course of this…
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…