Wednesday, 20 March 2024

School holiday activities

Dylan WIGHT (Tarneit) (16:16): That was a rubbish leadership audition, wasn’t it? I grieve this afternoon for the future of school holiday activities under a potential Liberal government. It is shaping up to be a fantastic school holiday for Victorian kids and families, and I should know because I have got the two coolest kids in Victoria in my humble opinion. The Allan Labor government has sponsored a variety of programs that will surely be memorable for our kids, and I very much look forward to taking advantage of some of those programs with my two boys Koby and Kai. Indeed I grieve for the future of these programs under a future Liberal government and encourage Victorians to make the most of them whilst they can and whilst they are here.

We have got investments in fishing. We have got camping and bushwalking programs. We have delivered on creating more and upgrading existing suburban parkland in places just like my electorate of Tarneit. We have invested in sports and creative industries and will still find room to support our fantastic zoos. All of these programs stack up to make sure that Victorian families have plenty of fantastic school holiday experiences to enjoy and help make Victoria a destination for interstate travel, which is obviously a fantastic benefit for our local economy as well.

My two boys absolutely love fishing. I do not – I am no good at it – but my two boys absolutely love going fishing. The Allan Labor government has made significant strides in supporting our fishing community, highlighting this government’s dedication to fostering the next generation of anglers. With a $1.5 million investment, thousands of primary school children are being given the chance to develop a lifelong passion for fishing, joining the ranks of over 1 million Victorian recreational fishers. This initiative was showcased over the summer, when more than 90,000 kits, each containing a free fishing rod, necessary equipment and a kids’ guide to fishing booklet, were distributed. I know that through their school my children were able to receive these packs and have used them very keenly ever since. These kits not only encourage physical activity and outdoor fun but also aim to educate youngsters about aquatic environments. The government’s efforts have also increased the fish population, nearing the goal of stocking 10 million fish this past year to ensure vibrant and healthy waterways.

In addition to making fishing more accessible and enjoyable, the Allan Labor government has made it cheaper and easier for families to spend time on the water by eliminating parking and launch fees, saving them up to $315 annually on parking permits. This action fulfils a promise made in 2018 and complements the government’s substantial investment of over $130 million in fishing and boating facilities statewide, with an additional $74.5 million earmarked for future infrastructure improvements, including $22.1 million for enhancing ramps, jetties and car parks. This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to improving recreational fishing and boating experiences for Victorian families. I grieve for the future of our little anglers if the Liberal Party ever finds its way to the government benches.

But we have not stopped there. This government also knows how important camping and bushwalking are for ensuring that Victorian children have a strong connection to nature and to the outdoors. We have allocated $106.6 million to the Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, a significant investment aimed at enhancing the state’s national parks and forests for the community’s enjoyment. This funding is being used to create more camping grounds, enhance four-wheel drive tracks and improve walking trails, thereby increasing opportunities for Victorians to experience the beauty of the outdoors. Among the developments are 55 upgraded camping grounds, including those at Beauchamp Falls in the Otways and Neds Gully in Cathedral Ranges, alongside 31 new campgrounds at locations such as Flat Spur at Mount Buller and Thomson Bridge in Gippsland.

Fulfilling a 2018 pledge, the Allan Labor government has ensured access to fishing and camping on Crown land frontages, opening over 400 free camping sites for families. Additionally, the program has upgraded 29 kilometres of walking trails and 125 kilometres of four-wheel drive tracks right across Victoria. These efforts make Victoria’s unique environments more accessible and enjoyable for families, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through affordable outdoor activities. The government has responded to the growing demand for access to nature with these initiatives, enhancing the safety and accessibility of our open spaces. Once again I grieve for the future of Victorian camping if the Liberals ever get their hands on programs and commitments like these.

The Allan Labor government has also made a substantial investment of $315 million to enhance and create open spaces available to Melburnians, recognising the importance of these areas for community connection, relaxation and enjoyment across generations. Sometimes it is not possible to go out on a larger trip to go fishing or to go camping, but sometimes it is just as good to walk down the road to your local park in the suburb in which you live. I know these open spaces will be of great benefit to Victorian families these school holidays. Once again one of the favourite things for my boys to do is just to go to their local park and spend half an hour or an hour playing on the equipment and enjoying the outdoors. This initiative not only aims to improve quality of life for the people of Melbourne but also to offer a haven for local flora and fauna, to support the health of waterways and to strengthen connection of traditional owners to the land.

Following a commitment made during the 2022 election, the government is currently in the process of delivering 14 new dog parks, including a brand new dog park in my electorate, which will be in the suburb of Hoppers Crossing. This will contribute to far better health outcomes for Victorians and their beloved pets. Interestingly enough, out of all the announcements that we have made across elections and all the announcements that I have made in my electorate of Tarneit, this one, a new dog park, is absolutely one of the most popular announcements that we have done. Everybody loves their pets and everybody loves their dogs, and people in Hoppers Crossing will be able to take their furry loved ones to a brand new dog park just down the road.

Additionally, the revitalisation of 41 local parks, the creation of 29 pocket parks and the development of seven off-track walking and cycling trails are underway right across metropolitan Melbourne. These projects underscore the critical role of open spaces in supporting both the environment and community wellbeing. The Allan Labor government remains dedicated to preserving and enhancing Melbourne’s open spaces for the benefit of future generations. I grieve for the future of our parks and open spaces under a Liberal government.

Of course I have not forgotten Victoria’s fantastic zoos, one of which is located in the member for Point Cook’s electorate but just across the road from me, the Werribee zoo, one of my kids’ favourite places in the whole world. Two or three times a year, I would say – just about every school holidays ‍– I have to take a trip to the Werribee zoo so they can jump on the safari bus and go around and look at all the fantastic animals and attractions. I will just say, though, for those in the chamber who have not been to the Werribee zoo: if you are going in the warmer months, just be careful of the snakes. They are not snakes in captivity; they are just snakes rolling around the zoo. So just be careful.

We have supported the Kids Go Free program at Zoos Victoria for many, many years. It is just one of our government’s programs to support families with the cost of living. You can take your kids along to these fantastic attractions absolutely free, keeping the money that you have earned in your pocket to be able to get on with the necessities of life. The zoo is a very special place for all Victorians, absolutely it is. I can see those opposite agreeing with me. The zoo is a special place for all Victorians. We all have wonderful memories from our childhood of visiting and learning about some of our planet’s weird and wonderful wildlife. Zoos Victoria plays such an important conservation role in our state as well, supporting the health and welfare of animals right across Victoria. We are proud to fund the Kids Go Free program, which has provided free entry to all four zoos in Victoria for kids on school holidays, weekends and public holidays for years. Making the zoo more accessible to families is also making learning more accessible, making outdoor activities more accessible and of course making joy more accessible to families right across Victoria. I grieve for the Kids Go Free program, member for Mordialloc, if those opposite ever come to government.

We have covered a fair bit here, but also let us not forget sport, major events and community sport facilities as well, facilities that I know are so incredibly important to families in my electorate of Tarneit. These school holidays my family and I will be getting around just some of the wealth of major events and sporting events our state has to offer. I know that it is not school holidays yet, but we took a little trip to watch Carlton and Richmond just on Thursday night, and I know the member for Malvern agrees with me about how fantastic that result was.

Michael O’Brien interjected.

Dylan WIGHT: Absolutely. Among these events during the school holidays we have the Stawell Gift, an amazing fixture on Victoria’s sporting calendar held in the scenic Grampians, having been held there for – I might get this wrong – over a hundred years. Proudly supported by the Victorian government, the gift, since its first race in 1878 – I should have read a little bit further in my notes – has become a cherished event, with a rich history and tradition. I encourage visitors to the Grampians during the school holidays to do their very best to explore the region’s arts, culture and the exceptional food and wine that the region is known for.

Additionally, the return of Ironman 70.3 racing to Geelong on Sunday 24 March is an exciting event for all triathletes and spectators, offering a chance to enjoy Victoria’s beautiful beaches and fantastic coastal scenery; the member for Geelong agrees with me there.

A member interjected.

Dylan WIGHT: The member for Tarneit might do a triathlon; you never know. I have probably got some training to do.

Moreover, the 2024 Highland Dancing Champion of Champions Championship of Australia, to be held at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville, will showcase the best of highland dancing over two thrilling days, with support of course from the Allan Labor government.

I also extend an invitation to Victorians to experience the diverse array of sporting events being hosted in our state-of-the-art facilities. From Melbourne United’s game 3 in the NBL series to matches featuring Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in the Melbourne and Olympic parks precinct, sports fans have plenty to choose. I would also like to give a plug to Western United, an A-League team who have just started their journey right there in Tarneit, opening their new facility and their new stadium with an A-League Women’s match on the weekend. If you are living in the outer west, do your very best to get down and support your local A-League team.

We do not want to forget regional Victoria in respect to these sports. Geelong will face North Melbourne at Kardinia Park. The new Joel Selwood Stand has increased the stadium’s capacity to 40,000, ensuring that Victorians can enjoy top-tier sporting action throughout the state during the school holidays. Thank you very much.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your guidance on this. Perhaps members need a reminder that this is a grievance debate. I think the closest the member for Tarneit got to grieving was worrying about snakes at Werribee park zoo.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Sandringham.