Wednesday, 1 November 2023

 Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (19:22): The member for Gippsland East raised a matter for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and the action being sought was for the minister to provide support in relation to the decommissioning of the Bass Strait oil and gas fields to return these areas to the commercial fishing sector. The member for Bass raised a matter for the Minister for Environment, and the action being sought was for the minister to join the member and neighbouring government MPs and meet with representatives from the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation to discuss their vision and advocacy for a whole-of-bay approach for a strategic management plan and framework. The member for South-West Coast raised a matter for the Minister for Health. The action being sought was for the minister to instruct her department to investigate and identify options to expand aged care services at the Terang hospital.

The member for Bellarine raised a matter for the Minister for Environment, and the action being sought was for the minister to meet with a number of recipients of the recent 2023 Victorian Landcare grants, which support on-ground work in her community to protect and restore the environment. The member for Prahran raised a matter for the Minister for Education, and the action being sought was for the minister to meet and discuss the needs of a community hub to support his students and the community. The member for Hastings raised a matter for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education. The action being sought was for the minister to visit the member’s electorate at the beginning of the next school term and attend a morning tea with local school principals to hear about their needs and possible solutions.

The member for Caulfield raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services. The action being sought was for the minister to visit with him and also to do whatever is possible to secure the surplus land at Katandra special school and transfer it to the SES unit in Glen Eira. The member for Monbulk raised a matter for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education. The action being sought was for the minister to join the member and visit Upwey High School and Upwey Primary School to learn about their priorities and see firsthand the government’s record investments in education in the Dandenong Ranges. The member for Morwell raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services. The action being sought was for the minister to commit to a new fire station for Hazelwood North fire brigade and provide a time line for delivery. Finally, the member for Box Hill raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. The action being sought was for the minister to provide an update on how the Allan Labor government is working to ensure residents in the Wattle Park area are serviced by accessible and well-connected public transport. I will ensure all of these matters are referred to the appropriate ministers.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister. Tune in for our next episode – same bat time, same bat channel. The house stands adjourned until tomorrow.

House adjourned 7:25 pm.