Thursday, 9 February 2023

Ministers statements: government agenda

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:34): I am very pleased to be able to update the house on the government’s agenda across so many different portfolio areas. We have heard a number of very impressive first speeches this week that have gone directly not only to people’s pathways into this place but the government’s agenda for these next four years.

We have seen people speak about their life experiences – for instance, the member for Pakenham, a stroke survivor and CFA volunteer who fought many hard battles to be in this place. For people like the member a $12 million investment in a second mobile stroke unit for Melbourne’s south-east will have a huge benefit and is very personal and just one part of our agenda in the health sector. The member for Point Cook, who as a teenager volunteered in disability care and later worked as a cleaner, knows only too well and understands clearly that it is very important that we have committed that $207 million, a comprehensive package to transform our specialist schools, including expanding our successful outside-hours care pilot to an additional 25 schools from 2024. Parents of kids with disability wrote that policy, and we are proud to have engaged with them and very grateful. That will be rolled out – that and many other programs – across our specialist school network.

The member for Kororoit raised a number of important personal issues, particularly her single mum escaping family violence, and she brings that unique perspective to that work in this chamber and as a member of this government. The member for Greenvale, who taught in regional Victoria, knows only too well the importance of properly funding our schools, both capital and recurrent, and supporting our teachers and staff – just how important that is. Finally, the member for Pascoe Vale, in an inspired contribution – it is great to see him here; he comes here very well credentialed, not least of which is as the 2005 junior Mr Victoria –

Members interjecting.

Daniel ANDREWS: A bodybuilding champion in every sense.