Thursday, 28 August 2025

Responses

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (17:34): If I first respond to the member for Morwell’s question, representing the Minister for Mental Health in this place, I concur with the member in relation to the great work of the Latrobe Regional Health team in some great facilities there, but I take on board the concern of the member with regard to the mental health funding. Of course our government has made record investments in mental health care in this state, introducing Australia’s first royal commission into mental health and accepting each and every one of those recommendations, but I will seek further information and ensure it is forwarded to the member for Morwell.

The member for Albert Park has asked me to attend with her to visit Better Health Network in South Melbourne, and I very much look forward to doing this. The last time I visited Better Health Network was with the federal health minister Mark Butler, and I was able to show him or talk to him about the fact that Victoria’s community health network is a model for what a reformed primary care system could really look like. We are the only state that continues to deliver on the promise of community health that was first articulated and funded by one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers, Gough Whitlam. Here in Victoria we have kept that promise of community health delivering free care and accessible care to some of our most marginal communities. I do very much look forward to that, and we will continue to champion community health and the role that it plays in our healthcare system.

The member for Monbulk raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Agriculture, and that is that she receive an update on supports that are available to Victoria’s fantastic horticultural industry, all of which we saw on display during this week of course. The member for Footscray raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts in the other place, and the action that the member is seeking is that the minister join her on a site visit to the existing Footscray Hospital to see the potential and opportunities that exist to meet the needs of the member’s community with regard to housing, with regard to community services and with regard to more open space.

The member for Kew raised a matter for the attention of the Premier, and the action that the member seeks is that the Premier address the increase in home invasions in the member’s electorate. The member for Melbourne raised a matter for the attention of the Premier, and the action she seeks is that the Premier lobby the Albanese government to implement sanctions on Israel. The member for Broadmeadows raised a matter for the Minister for Veterans. The action that she has sought is that the minister join her at Fawkner RSL. I am sure she very much looks forward to doing that. I also agree with the member about how great it was to have Legacy in here. I have added to my collection of Legacy teddies. I am sure we all have.

The member for Warrandyte raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Environment, and the action she seeks is funding to a local community environment group called Mange Management. The member for Pascoe Vale raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Veterans also, and the action he seeks is that the minister join him at Coburg RSL to show the Allan Labor government’s unwavering support to veterans in his community. The member for Polwarth raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Environment, and the action that he sought was that there be increased funding for the Great Ocean Road parks authority.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 5:38 pm.