Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Ministers statements: education

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:46): I rise to update the house on how we are delivering the Education State to those that need it most. Yalingbu Yirramboi means ‘today and tomorrow’ in the local languages of the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung peoples. It is also the name of our brand new school at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Premier, the Minister for Health and I visited the school site late last year. Led by Naomi McBride, it is providing world-class health care as well as world-class education to our most vulnerable and sickest kids in the state of Victoria. Students are receiving individualised teaching and learning programs aligned with the Victorian certificate of education via flexible teaching modes, including classroom sessions, small group sessions, individualised bedside support and remote learning opportunities. There are 22 registered teachers and six education support staff at the brand new school at the Royal Children’s Hospital. They are now benefiting from a greater range of teaching materials, supports and professional development opportunities. This is also the sixth government school that is linked to our health services. This ensures students can continue their learning between hospital, school and their home base.

Our newest school at the Royal Children’s Hospital is the 122nd school to be opened since we came to office. That is 122 schools in 10 years, and it could not be any more special than at the Royal Children’s Hospital, because every child deserves a quality education, no matter where they live and no matter their bank account or the circumstances that their family may find themselves in. We are proud to be building the Education State. We are proud to be making sure that we are helping and supporting our youngest, littlest, sickest kids to get the education they deserve – that they do not have a disrupted education and that they get all the way to year 12 and beyond in the Education State.

The SPEAKER: The time for questions has ended. The house will move to constituency questions.

Roma Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, I bring to your attention that I have an overdue constituency question that was due to be answered on 28 June: constituency question 660 to the Minister for Health. We want her answer to the question: will she rule out mergers? If she does not want to tell me here, she can tell me at the rally in Warrnambool on 16 August. I invite you, Minister, to attend.

The SPEAKER: Order! That is not the way to raise a constituency question.

David Hodgett: On a point of order, Speaker, I too have an overdue constituency question, which was asked on 5 March this year: number 532 to the Minister for Planning. I would ask that you raise that with the minister so that I can get a response that I can take back to my constituent.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a number of questions that have been unanswered by ministers in this Labor government: 655, an adjournment matter to the Minister for Children, unanswered. These are all for the Minister for Skills and TAFE – 1135, 1137, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1215, 1220, 1221, 1222, 1227, 1229, 1231, 1233, 1234, 1235 –

The SPEAKER: I ask the member for Evelyn to pass her list to the clerk when she has concluded.

Bridget Vallence: There are more for other ministers: to the Attorney-General, question 1214; to the Minister for Jobs and Industry, questions 1216, 1219, 1223, 1239 and 1240; and to the Minister for Economic Growth, 1323, 1324, 1325, 1326, 1327, 1328, 1329 and 1330. Could you please ask those delinquent ministers to answer the questions for my constituents, thank you.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Evelyn, that is very inappropriate language in the chamber. Member for Ripon, do you have a prop in the chamber by any chance? I ask you to remove the prop.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, I also have some questions on notice outstanding – two. They are 1211 to the Treasurer, which was due last month, and 1042 to the Premier, which was due about three months ago.