Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Ministers statements: regional tourism

Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (14:38): I rise today to update the house on the investments that the Andrews Labor government is making to grow regional Victoria’s tourist attractions into world-class destinations. More Victorians than ever before will be holidaying within our beautiful state thanks to our $30 million expansion of the Victorian travel voucher scheme announced yesterday by the minister for tourism. Thanks to this government’s investments Victorians will be spoiled for choice with local travel options. For example, they could travel to Ballarat, stay at the Quest apartments and enjoy all that the remodelled Goods Shed has to offer. It is a fantastic convention centre with food and drink options on their way. Not only is this redevelopment supporting 140 ongoing jobs but it has transformed this fabulous precinct.

In Geelong early works are now underway on the Geelong convention and exhibition centre. Our government has invested additional funding—$294 million—to ensure that this magnificent waterfront development can also attract and develop a 100-bed luxury hotel, to ensure that Geelong can host conferences from all around the world.

On the Great South Coast we are supporting the new $108 million visitor experience centre, and that for the first time will give a reason for people to stay once they have been to the Twelve Apostles. Accommodation is coming on board. The private sector are making their investments.

It was so exciting to stand with the Premier and with the minister for major events last week to announce the regional-led bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2026. When all of the visitors come, we will be able to show them all that regional Victoria has to offer, and you can count on them coming back time and time again. Only this government invests in the regions.

Mr Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a number of questions on notice and constituency questions which have not been answered: numbers 4602, 4661, 5413, 5586, 5753, 6073, 6082, 6088, 6090, 6114, 6273, 6331 and 6332. The vast majority of these questions are directed to the Minister for Health, and they date as far back as November 2020—so, close to a year and a half ago. I would be very grateful if you could follow up with the minister those answers.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for raising those matters. We will follow them up for him.

Ms Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I would just like to ask you to chase up a question again. I have raised a point of order on this question four times before. This is the fifth time. This question was asked 166 days ago. It is a question to the Minister for Health. Clearly he does not care about constituents in the Yarra Valley. It is 5994.

The SPEAKER: We will follow that up for the member.

Ms Kealy: On a point of order, Speaker, I have got a number of matters which remain outstanding and which are now overdue: constituency question 5823 to the Minister for Health, which was due back in June last year; adjournment matter 5869 to the Minister for Health, again going back to June of last year; question 6183 to the Minister for Health, which was due back in November last year; matter 6071 to the Minister for Health due in November last year; and question 6088 to the Minister for Health due in November last year. That is all the matters, but I do ask you to bring those questions to the attention of the minister, because they are important to my community.

The SPEAKER: We will follow those matters up.