Thursday, 9 March 2023

Responses

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (17:23): The member for Mildura, who I note has left the house, asked for a matter to be referred to the Minister for Environment in relation to the reopening of camping spots along the Murray River. The member for Footscray raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and that was for an update on matters that were raised with members of the Maribyrnong and Footscray truck action groups. The member for Croydon raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Community Sport in relation to the Maroondah BMX track, and he asked that the minister meet with the Maroondah BMX Club. The member for Ashwood raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep and in particular asked that the minister come and have a look at all the great things that are happening at the Pinewood Early Years Hub.

Thank you to the member for Berwick, who raised a matter for my attention. I would say to the member for Berwick that our maternal and child health nurses do an extraordinary job, and that is why our government went to the election with a commitment to raising the hours for which parents can access maternal and child health, because we know how vital it is in the support for parents. I understand of course that there have been some challenges in some of our growth corridors being able to access maternal and child health nurses, and the member raised issues specific to a community in Clyde North. I am happy to follow up by checking with the City of Casey and understanding a little bit more about their delivery of that program. I will certainly respond in a more fulsome way to the member, and I thank him for raising the matter.

The member for Box Hill raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Energy and Resources. He made reference to the fantastic work that she has done in relation to the power saving bonus and how it is delivering cost-of-living relief and enabling families right across his electorate to ensure that they are getting the very best power deal. He has asked that she consider a visit to one of his local neighbourhood houses.

The member for Richmond raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Equality asking that she write to, I believe, the minister for women in the UK regarding gender recognition certificates that the member for Richmond is concerned may exclude Victorians from having their gender recognised in the UK.

The member for Monbulk raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Public Transport and made the point that there has been some magnificent work undertaken in her electorate, particularly with regard to the upgrade at the Belgrave station, which is a transport hub. She has invited the minister to go and meet her in her electorate and discuss ways in which together they can work to improve the bus network in her electorate.

The member for Kew raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education. In particular she has asked that the minister look at funding local schools in her electorate to ensure that they have access to first-class facilities.

Finally, the member for Preston raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep. As he noted, similar to the member for Ashwood, he has called on the minister to visit the Reservoir East Family Centre, a fantastic community facility that is part of our government’s commitment to ensure that kindergarten is freely available for all three- and four-year-olds – not just for those whose parents can afford it but for all children – ensuring they get the best start in life.

The SPEAKER: The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 5:28 pm.