Thursday, 22 June 2023

Responses

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (17:32): I am indebted to the member for Albert Park for raising this very important matter. It does give us an opportunity at the end of this sitting week, the last one before the winter break and the last sitting day before Her Excellency the Governor the Honourable Linda Dessau finishes her quite outstanding eight-year term as the 29th Governor of our state. There was a function held last Friday night, and we had an opportunity to thank Her Excellency and acknowledge her service at that point, but I thought it was appropriate, as did the member for Albert Park it seems, to use this opportunity just to put a few things on the record.

It is not easy to be the first. It is very, very challenging often. There is a burden of expectation, an expectation that you will continue to open doors for others, but there is always that sense of doubt perhaps that the door will close. Her Excellency the Governor over her eight years has opened up Government House and made it a more inviting place, has engaged with the community in good times and bad, and has worked incredibly hard to make sure that she was accessible and fundamentally accountable to the people of our great state.

Coming to the governorship of course she had an esteemed career, firstly as a magistrate for 10 years and then as a Federal Court judge and a Family Court judge for a further 18 years. We all know how harrowing that legal jurisdiction can be – very, very challenging work – but she distinguished herself there. She served as an AFL commissioner and served as a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria.

The process to select a Governor is not done often and it is not done lightly, but it was incredibly important that we made the right choice. It is a great gift of being in government that you have an opportunity to nominate to the palace someone to serve in that most unique role. Looking back on that letter that I signed to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in early 2015, it is very clear to me, and I think to all Victorians, that on behalf of the government I could not have proposed anyone better to serve as the 29th Governor of our state.

The ease with which she engages with people right across our state, the sheer workload – she is a very, very hardworking Victorian – the amount of different events and the amount of firsts that she has been associated with do her great credit, whether it be hosting the first ever youth iftar dinner during Ramadan at Government House; overnight school camp-outs to mark VicHealth’s 30th anniversary; organising Government House’s first ever reception in acknowledgement of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia; or the Peace and Prosperity Kitchen Garden. Many honourable members will have had an opportunity to see that – a very considerable, generous donation by the Governor and former Judge Howard to establish that quite magnificent space and to run programs for refugee and migrant women to grow, to tend, to cook and to share experiences – and I do not think any of us can overstate just how important it is. To be invited as a relatively new member of the state of Victoria to the head of state’s house to spend time with her is an incredibly powerful thing. Many, many hundreds of women have benefited from that and so too have all of us.

It was noted on Friday evening that Her Excellency the Governor finished secondary school at age 16, having skipped ahead, such were her abilities. She then graduated law with honours at the University of Melbourne at 20, and it remains to this day – not reflecting on Her Excellency’s age – quite a significant achievement, as the youngest ever graduate of the law school at the University of Melbourne. She has been associated with firsts throughout her life, and as the first woman to occupy the office of Governor in this state she has done every Victorian credit. We owe her a great debt of gratitude, and it is appropriate that we acknowledge it today.

However, you get two for the price of one when it comes to Her Excellency Linda Dessau, because in former Judge Tony Howard we had another first: the first man to fulfil that role of a Governor’s spouse. Tony’s personal touch, Tony’s ability to engage with ease with everyone that he deals with and his passion for the history of Government House and for the history of our state – and on a very personal note, the many kindnesses that he extended to my family; my kids know him well – will never be forgotten by us.

To both Linda Dessau and Tony Howard, you have our thanks and praise for the work that you have done. If I can simply say this to Her Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau, the 29th Governor of Victoria, thank you. Thank you so much for the person you are and the Governor that you have been.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Health to respond to the member for Northcote and to refer matters raised by other members.

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (17:38): The member for Berwick raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education. The action he seeks is that the minister consider the situation of Harkaway Primary School, who want a school crossing, and in particular I will acknowledge Natasha’s letter to that effect.

The member for Northcote has asked me to do something I very much look forward to, and that is to work with her on the delivery of an early parenting centre in Northcote. That is something that will give me great pleasure, and I want to thank the member for Northcote for her advocacy on behalf of her community and the way in which tonight she so beautifully outlined all that an early parenting centre can do and the many ways it will support families – mothers, fathers and babies – at what is always a very joyful time but one that can be exceedingly challenging. I think, reflecting on the member’s contribution, that some of the challenges that she raised are some that she perhaps experienced herself. Many of us, those of us who have had children, can reflect on how challenging sometimes those early days can be.

The member for Ovens Valley raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action that he seeks is that the Yackandandah–Myrtleford road be given priority for an upgrade.

The member for Lara raised a matter for the Minister for Mental Health, and the action that she seeks is that the Minister for Mental Health join her on a visit to Windana, which provides very important alcohol and drug services for those who have dependency on alcohol and drugs.

The member for Bullen, who I note is no longer in the chamber, raised a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, and the matter that he seeks to raise with the minister is that she act to increase the penalties for dangerous dogs.

The member for Ashwood raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education, and the matter that the member raised is that the minister join him to inspect the magnificent $7.9 million upgrade that is underway at Mount Waverley Secondary College and the delivery of a STEAM centre. Can I say, as a member of this house who has had the good fortune of having a STEAM centre built at Romsey Primary School, they are absolutely life changing for the kids that get to access the learning that those environments provide.

The member for Gippsland South raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Water. The action that he seeks is that the minister outline how and when reallocation of water in the Latrobe River system will take place, and he particularly has expressed his wish that some of that water go to irrigation for agricultural purposes.

The member for Bellarine raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education. The action that she seeks is that the minister join her at Wallington Primary School on another trip to visit yet another school upgrade delivered by the Andrews Labor government – $2.1 million, and indeed there have already been works taking place at that primary school. It would be a great opportunity for the minister to visit and inspect the upgrades there.

The member for Kew also – the Minister for Education is very popular tonight – raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education, and she is seeking fair funding for all schools. I am sure that the Minister for Education will have quite a bit to say on that.

The member for Albert Park raised a matter which the Premier has already answered.

Speaker, can I wish you a wonderful winter break, and we will see you on the other side.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Premier. Thank you, members. The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 5:42 pm.