Tuesday, 28 May 2024

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:33): I am delighted to rise to update the house on the work we are doing in partnership with regional communities across the state to support jobs, particularly in our great, strong regional tourism industry. Do you know what you will find in regional communities right across the state today? Victorians in jobs. And that is because there are more Victorians employed across regional communities today than ever before in our state’s history. Just in April alone, 11,000 more people found a job in our community, and today regional unemployment is at a level that is less than half it was when we came to government in November 2014.

That does not happen by accident. It happens as a result of working in partnership with regional businesses and communities to support and invest in people and infrastructure that in turn supports jobs, particularly in the regional tourism sector, a big and important part of our way of life in the regions and also our economies. We have programs like the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, grants of up to $5 million for tourism-related projects; the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, which is helping work with regional tourism –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean can leave the chamber for an hour.

Sam Groth interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean can leave the chamber for an hour and a half.

Member for Nepean withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: Our Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is helping address the issue of the pipeline of workers. Time is against me listing a whole range of projects, but the member for Mildura knows about the Mildura sports precinct, which has recently been completed, another great Labor government project delivered for the people of Mildura. And of course, Speaker, you are well aware of the fantastic Bendigo Airport redevelopment that is supporting the welcoming of more people and visitors to the great regional centre of Bendigo.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a number of questions outstanding from a range of ministers who have yet to answer questions. I have raised points of order on these before: question 535 to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, who is at the table; question 943 to the Minister for Jobs and Industry; questions 1050, 1052, 1081 and 1083 to the Minister for Skills and TAFE; and questions 1112 and 1113 to the Minister for Education. I would appreciate those being followed up for my constituents.

Jade Benham: On a point of order, Speaker, I have got four questions I would like urgent follow-up on, particularly 522, 877, 757 and 629.