I too rise to speak on this very important bill, and I thank all of the previous speakers for their contributions and the passion that they bring to this very, very important area of public policy. As I was preparing for today I was trying to think about what other area of public policy could…
I rise to speak on the motion to revoke amendments VC194 and VC198 to the Victorian planning provisions under section 38(2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the motion brought forward by Mr Davis. The Andrews Labor government is committed to Victoria’s timely social and economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic. Never before has there been…
On Thursday, 17 June, together with Gannawarra shire mayor, Charlie Gillingham, I started by visiting Atkinson Park in Kerang’s Sir John Gorton precinct to announce $1 million in funding from the Andrews Labor government’s community sports infrastructure stimulus program. It will go towards a new all-abilities play space complete with skate park, playground and more. Atkinson Park…
My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Local Government, the Honourable Shaun Leane, MP, and the adjournment matter relates to public libraries. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of public libraries in connecting people to their community, and that has nowhere been more evident than in my electorate of Northern Victoria. They…
I rise to also speak on the Appropriation (Parliament 2021–2022) Bill 2021. I will not attempt to cover some of the ground that Mr Rich-Phillips has covered in his contribution, although there will be a little bit of repetition. But I will be as quick as I possibly can, noting of course that it was only yesterday…
Can I also acknowledge very quickly Know Your Roots Inc. in Shepparton, which recently received grants in relation to local anti-racism initiatives, African and Pasifika youth-led grants and a multicultural communities grant. These three grants will go to a number of programs run by the incorporation to aid First Nations and migrant and refugee communities.…
I too want to acknowledge the wild weather that has been going on in Victoria this week and particularly overnight and the magnificent work of our first responders, our volunteers from emergency services et cetera, but I also want to give a big shout-out to our local councils, who do a fantastic job in these circumstances.…
I rise to speak on Mr Hayes motion 532 this afternoon. Gee, after listening to some of the earlier contributions I think perhaps next Wacky Wednesday we need to have a bit of a truth-o-meter—a fact checker or something that is inserted into this chamber so that we can actually tell the truth from what is really…
ell, it would not be a Wednesday, would it, unless we had a couple of document production motions from Mr Davis. I note from memory that he has had a couple of cracks at this type of motion, but nonetheless what we are seeing is yet again the scaremongering tactics of the Leader of the Opposition,…
I am not sure if that extension was so that I did not speak, Mr Melhem, or if you wanted more of the previous speaker, but either way we will press on. Well, here we are again. Here we are again on a Wednesday and dealing with yet another motion from Mr Davis, although we noticed that…
I rise to speak on Dr Cumming’s motion before the house here today. Of course the first point that Dr Cumming’s motion makes is recognising the increasing financial burden—although I could have just said ‘burden’—on the Victorian health system from preventable illnesses and the COVID pandemic. Yet again, I think it is important that whenever we are…
Finally, on 20 May it was great to be back in Shepparton for the announcement of the $3.75 million redevelopment of Maude Street in Shepparton, funded by the Andrews Labor government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund. Working closely with the Greater Shepparton City Council and local small businesses, the new project will provide the confidence for landlords and new…
I was delighted on 15 May to officially open the new $2 million Tatura CFA station. The brigade has a proud 127-year history, and I was joined by many of the local brigade and Tatura community, as well as CFA deputy chief officer Peter O’Keefe and CFA assistant chief officer Tony Owen. The Andrews Labor government provided…
On another matter, I was pleased to be able to attend St Paul’s African House and speak at the fifth annual A Taste of African Cultures 2021. The concept for the festival originated in 2015 at a consultation meeting with local Africans, who wanted to showcase their cultures to the Shepparton community. Activities on the day…
I rise to speak on the Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Bill 2021. This bill, as has been said by others when making their contributions during this debate, creates a new act of Parliament to introduce a modest, distance-based charge on zero- and low-emission vehicles not predominantly powered by fuel sources that are subject to…
I am very pleased to rise today to speak on Mr Quilty’s motion. I want to say from the outset that I am a supporter of taxation. I support the citizens of this state and this nation paying taxes, and I support the citizens of this state and this nation paying taxes because those important contributions…
I was honoured to commemorate Anzac Day this year in Cohuna, following a gracious invitation from the RSL sub-branch president, Mr Geoff Dale. Cohuna of course was at one time the home to VC winner Albert Jacka during his time with the then state forest commission, and he was captain of the local footy team. I…
I am delighted to rise to speak on this bill today, because this bill is Labor to its bootstraps. This is what many of us in this chamber on this side have struggled with for years. I know in my time as a former union official the one thing that we always wrestled with, with…
I too rise to speak on the motion brought to the house by the Leader of the Government and my friend and colleague here in Northern Victoria, Ms Symes. Gee, what a last 18 months this community has had up here in north-east Victoria and of course down in Gippsland. I am sure there are going to…
I rise to speak on this motion before the house today. Can I begin by acknowledging, as every speaker has, that the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed had a dramatic effect on small business throughout Victoria, including the business strip in shopping centres around metropolitan Melbourne. Of course you would have to be Blind Freddy not…