Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Responses

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning to respond to members’ adjournment matters.

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing) (19:21): Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker, you are having a very big week.

A member interjected.

Mr WYNNE: No, she is going sensationally.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is the highlight of my week, Minister.

Mr WYNNE: And I assure you, Deputy Speaker, it is mutual.

All right. Here we go: the member for Warrandyte has raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, seeking a release of the plans for the Union station, which is a consolidation of two stations in the Box Hill area. I will make sure the minister is aware of that request.

The member for Tarneit also has raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, seeking an update on a really crucially important infrastructure project, the West Gate Tunnel. She knows very well the importance of this, not only to the western suburbs but indeed to the movement of traffic more generally in that region. I will certainly make sure that she gets an update from the minister.

The member for Lowan has raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services, advocating for extra funding for Dunkeld SES. Of course we love the SESs, which do such a marvellous job for our community.

Ms Kealy: Yes, Dunkeld is lovely.

Mr WYNNE: Dunkeld is a beautiful part of the world.

The member for Carrum has raised a matter for the Premier, seeking that the Premier attend with her Skye Primary School to celebrate the $7.8 million upgrade program at the school. I simply say to the member for Carrum: have a look at my socials. The Premier came out to me—

A member interjected.

Mr WYNNE: I mean, seriously—

A member interjected.

Mr WYNNE: No, it was unbelievable. He came to a school in my area, in Richmond. I mean, fair dinkum, the kids just went crazy. It was just wonderful. Have a look—it is a beautiful thing on my socials. The kids were just magnificent—chanting and—

A member interjected.

Mr WYNNE: No, I should not do it here. I am sorry, Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have got half an hour; you can speak on any topic.

Mr WYNNE: I can keep going, can I? No? I tell you: she gave me the snake eye in question time. Do not let her do it to you again. ‘Shut up’—righto, I got it.

The member for Ripon has raised a very interesting question, which I was completely unaware of, to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, seeking that the exclusive access to retail gas distribution in western Victoria be in effect decoupled and opened to a more competitive set of arrangements so that consumers can have the opportunity to choose from different providers. Again, I will make sure the minister is aware of that particular matter.

The member for Box Hill—

A member: He is here.

Mr WYNNE: Indeed—he raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport, seeking that the minister attend Box Hill United Soccer Club to inspect their new facilities, which sound absolutely fantastic, particular for women players there, which is a fantastic initiative as well.

The member for Morwell continues to raise important issues in relation to mental health, and I respect the stand that he has taken on these issues. He is seeking further funding for Lifeline, one of our critical service delivery organisations. The data that the member for Morwell has provided really speaks, I think, very eloquently to the question of the support that we have needed to provide to our community through the COVID lockdowns. I thank the member for his continuing advocacy in this area, and I will make sure the Minister for Mental Health is aware of your advocacy.

The member for Bass has raised a matter for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change seeking that the minister meet with one of her environmental groups, the Save Western Port Woodlands group, to talk about some important challenges that she has within the electorate there. I will make sure the environment minister again is aware of that.

The member for Eildon has raised a matter for the Minister for Public Transport seeking that the minister recast some decisions in relation to bus route changes in her electorate—and I think I have got them all; the 684, 687, 686 and 685 are the four—and the potential impact that she says may affect her community in Eildon.

Finally, the member for Nepean has raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport seeking to get some data on the uptake of the Get Active kids voucher program, a wonderful program to get kids out and about now, and the crucial importance of physical and sporting activity for our young folk. I will make sure that the minister is aware that you are requesting that data.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Deputy Speaker, at question time, where you have been doing such a splendid job.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister. The house now stands adjourned until tomorrow.

House adjourned 7.27 pm.