Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Ministers statements: fire and storm events

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:39): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting students, teachers and families that have been devastated by last week’s devastating events, particularly the weather events. I think we need to put on the record that it has been a very tough time for teachers and students right across our state. They have not only been working and studying through the toughest conditions, but they have been personally impacted as well – their homes and their communities. The member for Lowan does know this, because I have been talking with her in relation to Pomonal Primary. I also want to give a shout-out, if I can, while I am on my feet to the hardworking member for Monbulk. The member for Monbulk and I last week visited Emerald Primary. We met with the principal and the assistant principal, and there is no doubt that the member for Monbulk and the work she has been doing with that community have given them a lot of confidence. I have seen the resilience and the resolve of that community to get through this, just as they got through 2021. We should also recognise, I think, as a chamber some of the collective trauma that has occurred from 2021 that is still with people today. That is why we are doing everything we can, whether it is through our employee assistance program supporting teachers and principals, or whether it is working hand in hand with Foodbank to make sure our important breakfast clubs continue to get delivered right across those impacted areas in our state.

I do want to also thank the Department of Education. They had an incredible almost 200 call-outs last week, and they are responding as I speak right now to every school in need. As I speak right now, we have only two schools closed, and I am very hopeful – I say ‘hopeful’ in inverted commas – that those two schools will be open by the end of this week. It is so important that we continue to support our teachers and our staff. We know and the Allan Labor government knows that our support for schools does not stop at the school gate. Whether it is the employee assistance program or whether it is the breakfast clubs, all those social services that are at the heart of our education system are vitally important. We will continue to support our schools, our staff and our students, and we will make sure those 190 requests all get dealt with as soon as possible.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I have three constituency questions which remain unanswered and are well overdue. All of them were due before the end of last year: 370 to the Minister for Environment, 404 to the Premier and 444 to the Minister for Emergency Services. I would appreciate those being followed up.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, constituency question 428 to the Minister for Environment still remains unanswered, despite me raising a point of order on this previously. Could you please get a response for my constituents about the Silvan Reservoir.