Thursday, 16 September 2021

Ministers statements: government support

Mr DONNELLAN (Narre Warren North—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers) (15:13): I am pleased to provide an update as to the Andrews government’s additional support for the most vulnerable in our community. Ever since this pandemic began, we have been supporting vulnerable Victorians, who very much feel the effects of this global pandemic more than most. That is why recently with the Premier we made a $27 million package announcement to ensure that Victorians are able to access critical supports and the relief they need to stay safe and well until we are all vaccinated.

No Victorian should have to worry about putting a meal on the plate. The $6 million food relief financial reserve will boost capacity in the community food sector during the coronavirus restrictions. We know that different communities have different needs. Those in Rutherglen will not necessarily be similar to those in Richmond. Through this flexible financial reserve, organisations have the confidence to plan and to purchase goods they might need, like chilled goods, or they can recruit more workers to pack boxes and do deliveries. This builds on the $35 million the Andrews government announced in February 2020 to expand community food relief.

We also know that unfortunately not everyone has friends or family nearby to support them. An additional $3.7 million will purchase 3600 Red Cross emergency packs to enable those individuals or families to isolate safely at home. They are ordered through the coronavirus hotline and delivered 24 hours a day within 24 to 48 hours. I can advise that more than 11 000 Red Cross packages have been distributed throughout Victoria during the coronavirus pandemic, and there has also been an additional $5.9 million for the extreme hardship support package to support those in need, whether they be asylum seekers, undocumented workers or temporary migrants. Delivered by the Red Cross, the program has already assisted over 53 000 people.

But to ensure that no-one is left behind, we have a pack for the opposition leader. He is looking a bit flat, a bit like a calmed lobster—

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr DONNELLAN: so we have got a pack with Vegemite to put a rose in every cheek—

The SPEAKER: Order! That is the end of question time.

Ms Sandell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have 21 questions that remain unanswered. Would the Speaker like me to read them out or send them through to his office?

The SPEAKER: It would be preferable if you could provide a list to the clerks and we will follow that matter up.

Ms Sandell: I will provide a list to the clerks, thank you. If you could instruct the ministers to respond—

The SPEAKER: We will follow those matters up. Any further points of order?

Ms Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, in relation to a couple of questions that are unanswered: constituency question 5831 for the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers seeking urgent funding for Victorian volunteer resource centres, including Eastern Volunteers, asked back on 5 May 2021; and constituency question 5901 for the Minister for Health asking for medical advice to keep fitness centres and gyms shut after lockdown 4 was lifted, asked on 10 June 2021. Thank you, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. We will follow those matters up as well.