Tuesday, 7 June 2022

 Mr PAKULA (Keysborough—Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Trade, Minister for Business Precincts, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Racing) (14:30): One of the most rewarding parts of my portfolio is the ability to get around regional Victoria to announce regional tourism infrastructure funds and grants that we have made. The $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan allows us to do that, both through the Enabling Tourism Fund and the Regional Tourism Investment Fund. Just last week I was able to join the member for Bendigo West, the Deputy Speaker, at Porcupine Village in Maldon to announce $1.7 million for new accommodation, a wildlife sanctuary and a new function space. I was also in Horsham to speak to the council about their City to River project and announce $2 million for their City Oval and Sawyer Park precinct to make it a year-round event space for music and the like.

I have not been able to get everywhere, so the Attorney-General, a member for Northern Victoria, was up in the King Valley just the other day to announce support for the Mountain View Hotel, Dal Zotto for its home of prosecco, Pizzini Wines for its new restaurant in Whitfield, Darling Estate to develop a new cellar door and allow the winery to attract visitors year round and indeed Brown Brothers in Milawa, which is bringing together its cellar door and restaurant, allowing visitors to see and learn about a working winery. The Minister for Small Business was down at Budj Bim to announce $7 million for their cultural education space. Our investment in tourism infrastructure in our regions is absolutely unparalleled. What it means for those regions is more visitors, more economic growth and more jobs for those communities.