Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Responses

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing) (19:25): My ambition was not achieved today, but I will do my best. The member for Caulfield raised a matter for the Minister for Education seeking support and funding for the St Kilda Primary School to construct a hub in that beautiful school that I know very well for its excellent educational outcomes for our community.

The member for Tarneit has requested the Attorney-General—as the Minister for Emergency Services in this context—to visit the CFA brigades in her electorate, who do magnificent work, to see what she kindly called the magnificent investments that have been made in her region. We know just what important work those brigades do.

The member for Euroa raised a matter for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change relating to a particle board manufacturer, Monsbent, in Benalla—I for other reasons know of that business from its earlier stage, actually—seeking a licence review by the EPA in relation to some pretty important issues that they are confronting there. I will make sure that the minister is made aware of that, because obviously the jobs there are very important.

The member for Mordialloc has raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure seeking an update on the early works program for the Suburban Rail Loop, which by any measure is going to be a city-changing project for this state, and I am sure the minister will be delighted to give an update.

The member for Malvern has raised a matter for the Minister for Industrial Relations in relation to one of his constituents who was an employee at Monash Health and sought to have his long service leave—

Mr M O’Brien: Entitlements honoured.

Mr WYNNE: entitlements honoured. Yes, that would be the correct word. Clearly there are some issues that you have outlined there, member for Malvern, and I will make sure the Minister for Industrial Relations is certainly made aware of that and will follow that up—absolutely.

The member for Northcote has raised a matter for the minister for energy in relation to what has been her consistent advocacy as the local member in relation to transitioning, effectively, out of gas and into renewables. I mean, we have a very ambitious target of 50 per cent by 2030, and one of the ways that you can get there is to transition out of gas, as she rightly indicates. She advocates for a review of regulations. Clearly the uptake of solar has been very significant, and indeed as part of the Big Housing Build, the record investment we are making in social housing, as I have reminded the house on a number of occasions, we will build over 15 000 units and they will be free of gas, which is fantastic.

The member for Morwell has raised a matter for the Minister for Public Transport seeking further consideration of the town bus services in Morwell, effectively extending some of the routes to some of the key welfare and aged care facilities—Baptcare, to name one in the area—and I will make sure that request goes to the minister.

The member for Bass raised a matter—there she is—for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety seeking an update on the road maintenance program that has gone into the South Gippsland area more generally, but particularly right across her region of Bass, and I know the minister will be delighted to give her such an update.

The member for Evelyn has raised a matter for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events seeking support for target shooting to be part of the Commonwealth Games offering going forward, and she points to the Melbourne Gun Club and others who have a facility, I think, at Yering.

Ms Vallence: Yering in the Yarra Valley.

Mr WYNNE: Yering—and I will make sure that the minister is made aware of that request.

And finally, the member for Carrum has raised a matter for the Minister for Education seeking an update on the breakfast club program. I mean, what a significant program. No child should have to go to school with an empty stomach. It is a terrific program, and I very much look forward to the minister providing her with an update on how many schools have taken up this program.

Mr M O’Brien: An update on the uptake.

Mr WYNNE: An update and an uptake—and we give little kids a decent feed when they go to school. Deputy Speaker, I am sorry, I did my best—but there you go.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister—10 minutes over time. The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 7.32 pm.