Thursday, 19 June 2025

Responses

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (17:29): I thank the member for Monbulk for her request this evening that I join her in her electorate to meet with our fantastic paramedics at the Tacoma ambulance branch, and I very much look forward to arranging a time to do that as soon as possible. I thank the member for her advocacy on behalf of her community, making sure that timely emergency care is available for those that live in the district of Monbulk.

The member for Narracan raised a matter for my attention. It is, however, a question that is better directed to the Minister for Health Infrastructure, who of course is responsible for our government’s $15 billion infrastructure pipeline. However, I am happy to advise the house that the Hospital Infrastructure Delivery Fund, which is $320 million, was funded by our government in order to help plan and deliver seven new or upgraded hospital projects, including a new hospital in Warragul.

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Narracan, you are warned.

Wayne Farnham interjected.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Narracan can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Wayne Farnham interjected.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Make it an hour.

Wayne Farnham interjected.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ninety minutes.

Member for Narracan withdrew from chamber.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: The member for Eildon raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action that she is seeking is that the minister improve safety for cyclists on Donna Buang Road. I will ensure that the minister is aware of that request. The member for Narre Warren South raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Community Sport, and the action that he seeks is that that the minister provide him an update on the recent Allan Labor government budget allocation of $250,000 to ensure lights are delivered at Hampton Park. Of course this will make a world of difference to the Swallows, who play on that. Swallows?

Gary Maas: Sparrows.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: To the Sparrows. The member for Murray Plains raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education, and the action he seeks is that the minister deliver a new toilet block to meet the needs of the students at Swan Hill College. The member for Kew raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action she seeks is to receive an update on changes that have been made to noise walls in North Balwyn while the North East Link construction is underway. The member for Broadmeadows raised a matter for the attention also of the Minister for Education, and the action she seeks is that the minister join her on the site of the new Broadmeadows technical school but also take the opportunity to see the great work that is being delivered through the Health and Community Centre of Excellence out in Broadmeadows. May I say that I am very much looking forward to coming to visit you shortly, I believe, out at Kangan too, because I really want to have the opportunity to meet the nursing students who are getting an opportunity to pursue a career that they love as part of our free TAFE program.

The member for Mordialloc raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, and the action he seeks is that the minister provide him with an outline of how the recently launched Respect Victoria campaign will play out in his community and the benefits that will accrue to constituents there in Mordialloc. I take this opportunity to congratulate the member for Mordialloc on the fantastic work that he is leading in men’s behaviour change. The member for Morwell raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Planning, and he wants the minister to review a clause in the planning scheme – it is the clause that refers to rooming houses – because of the prevalence of rooming houses that he has seen and the concerns that these are causing for other residents and also the amenity of the people living in those rooming houses. The member for Glen Waverley raised a matter for the attention of the Premier, and the action he seeks, an action that I am sure the Premier will really look forward to, is to go and meet with members of the Chinese community in the member’s electorate to talk about our government’s ongoing engagement with China and commitment to working to ensure the future of Chinese Australians and strengthen those ties.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: As it is customary heading into the winter break, can I thank our clerks, our attendants, our catering staff and everyone in the offices of procedures – and I guess papers as well, but we do not really care about them! Everyone have a great break. The house stands adjourned until we are back.

House adjourned 5:35 pm.