Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Responses

Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (19:22): The member for Lara raised a matter for me in my capacity as Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and that was for me to visit with the member the wonderful organisation in the Geelong region Cultura. The member outlined the wonderful services that Cultura has provided in Geelong over decades. She ran through some of those services: settlement services, aged care, training programs, homework clubs, driver education and a whole range of services to that community.

Victoria is, I think, one of the best multicultural societies in the world. We certainly have challenges, but it is a great state that embraces so many different cultures where people share those cultures. Cultura is a great example of an organisation that helps to bring people together. Of course the member mentioned in her contribution Pako Festa, which I think takes place in February next year. Our government is very proud to be supporting that wonderful festival where people come together with a $200,000 per year over four years commitment that has been followed through in the recent budget. We will have more to say about the actual funding allocation very shortly, but that is a wonderful festival run by a wonderful organisation, and I really look forward to visiting with the member that wonderful organisation.

I will just take the opportunity to say the member for Lara is doing a great job in the Geelong region. I met recently with her and some other members of that region where we met with the council to discuss housing issues. She is doing a fine job. She fills the big shoes of the previous member for Lara Mr John Eren, who sends me the odd text message when Collingwood and Geelong are playing. I have not heard from him over the last couple of weeks, but I am sure I will early next year. We send our best wishes to John.

There was a matter raised by the member for Narracan, directed to the Minister for Health.

A member: Who is also doing a wonderful job.

Colin BROOKS: The Minister for Health is doing a wonderful job. Oh, the member for Narracan is doing a wonderful job. His issue was to ask that the minister address the crisis that is the waitlist for urgent care, in his words. He outlined a serious case that affected a patient that had come to him – Shane Adamiak, I think, was the name. I will make sure that the Minister for Health gets that matter referred to her.

The member for Hastings referred a matter to the Minister for Climate Action, inviting the minister to visit the Port of Hastings with him to discuss offshore wind construction, if I have got that matter correctly.

The member for Morwell raised a matter for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, seeking that the minister provide compensation to businesses in the Latrobe Valley that have been affected by the decision not to proceed with the Commonwealth Games, and I will make sure that that matter is referred to the minister.

The hardworking member for Preston has raised a matter for the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, requesting that the minister visit the Nara early childhood centre, and he indicated the great work that the staff there do and the long periods of time that those staff stay at that particular centre. It is a great place to work, by the sounds of it. They have some plans for a refurbishment they wish to discuss with the minister. I will make sure that the minister is referred that particular matter.

The member for the Benambra raised a matter for the Minister for Mental Health, and the issue that he raised was that the minister urgently approve and fund eight adolescent acute mental health beds at Albury Wodonga Health. He outlined one particular, fairly serious, instance of an example that had been raised with him, and I will make sure the minister receives that particular matter.

The member for Melbourne raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services, and I will seek the member’s guidance on this. I understand the matter she raised was that the minister urgently release the updated figures on aerial firefighting capacity. I am happy to take some further advice from the member on that particular matter and refer that to the minister.

The member for Eltham raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport requesting that she visit the Eltham Redbacks Football Club with the member for Eltham. I remember being at the opening of the home of the Matildas at La Trobe University. The government invested $101 million to create that wonderful sporting facility. There were a couple of Matildas in attendance just before the World Cup, and they had a host of Eltham Redbacks junior players there who were just so excited to be at that venue with some of the Matildas present.

The member for Mildura raised a matter for the Minister for Planning, requesting that the land at the old Ouyen Primary School site be rezoned for housing. As the Minister for Housing, I am certainly on board for more housing supply, so I will make sure that that matter is referred on to the Minister for Planning.

The member for Box Hill raised a matter for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, requesting that the planning for the Suburban Rail Loop include consideration of a new bus interchange at Box Hill, and I will make sure that that matter is referred to the minister.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The house now stands adjourned until tomorrow.

House adjourned 7:28 pm.