Wednesday, 16 October 2024

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Development Victoria, Minister for Precincts, Minister for Creative Industries) (19:21): The member for Croydon raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. If I understood the description of the issue that he raised, he was seeking the reinstatement of permanent fencing at Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar, particularly around the outdoor dining area, which I think he said had been impacted by works for the Level Crossing Removal Project. That matter will be passed on. The member for Northcote, a hardworking local member of Parliament in the Northcote area, has raised a matter for the Minister for Energy and Resources. She was seeking a briefing on the Alphington neighbourhood battery initiative, obviously a really important initiative there in that local community. The member for Gippsland South raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services seeking funding for the Foster and Mirboo North fire station upgrades. I will make sure that matter gets passed on.

The member for Lara, the hardworking member in the electorate of Lara, raised a matter for the Minister for Education, in that he come down and visit the Northern Bay College Hendy campus, which I think she said had been impacted by fire, so a quite important visit there that she is seeking the minister to take. The member for Evelyn raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, seeking the minister to conduct and publish a risk assessment. I think it was Melba Avenue and Cave Hill Road or Main Street, Lilydale, that was the cause of the issue.

Bridget Vallence: It was the closure of Melba Avenue at Cave Hill Road.

Colin BROOKS: The closure of Melba Avenue. I will make sure that Hansard is checked and that matter is passed on. The member for Broadmeadows, who is an extremely hardworking member of Parliament, raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. She was seeking the minister to join her at a visit to the intersection of Wheatsheaf Road and Plumpton Avenue in Glenroy, and I am sure that the minister will be keen to join the member at that location.

The member for Mornington raised a matter for the Minister for Housing seeking that the minister update the member on the government’s plan to fix housing. I am sure that the Minister for Housing will be very keen to do that. It is a serious issue, and maybe the minister will outline the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, which is delivering thousands of new homes for Victorians who need social housing. I note that the social housing waitlist – with a long way to go – has come down several thousand applications over the last year. On top of that is the $1 billion Regional Housing Fund. All of the initiatives are outlined in the housing statement, resulting in Victoria building and approving more homes than any other state in the country. I am sure the minister will be keen to pick up on those points, notwithstanding the serious issues that the member has raised in relation to some constituents in his electorate – and maybe even outline that the federal Liberals went missing when the Housing Australia Future Fund was being considered in the federal Parliament. There was no support. I remember in this Parliament when issues were raised on housing at the time there was silence on that side of the house. No-one would pick up the phone and ring their federal counterparts and say, ‘You should pass the HAFF.’ No-one rang Michael Sukkar and said, ‘Listen, you should pass that funding for this important housing’ –

David Hodgett: We did, but he didn’t answer.

Colin BROOKS: He was not taking your calls then and he probably is not taking your calls now, I would say. I would also make the point that the Leader of the Opposition has been quite notable in opposing social housing projects in his electorate.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! We are straying from the task at hand.

Colin BROOKS: I will move on to the member for Monbulk, who raised a matter for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. She is seeking an update on the advocacy in relation to telecommunications organisations in her electorate, in particular in relation to mobile coverage, particularly around emergency situations. Such a hardworking member of Parliament is the member for Monbulk. The member for Narracan raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety – an important issue no doubt – of road safety at the Thorpdale slip, seeking that that be investigated and rectified. In relation to that particular issue the member is obviously being hardworking in making sure that matter has been raised. The member for Cranbourne raised a matter for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence – a serious issue there that the hardworking member has raised – in that the minister visit the new Orange Door in Cranbourne. It does incredible work, the Orange Door service, and I am sure that the minister will be keen to engage with the workers at that particular centre.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hardworking house stands adjourned until tomorrow morning.

House adjourned 7:25 pm.