Tuesday, 14 October 2025

 Emma VULIN (Pakenham) (13:00): Today is a special day in the Victorian Parliament. It is a day that we become a little more inclusive for people who live with a disability. I am using my new communication device to deliver my speech today. Many of you are aware that motor neurone disease will perhaps one day take away my speech forever. Because speaking for longer periods of time and projecting my voice is becoming more difficult, it is important that these devices are here to make life that little bit easier. This is not something that I need to use every day at this stage, but it does help me to be able to continue to be a voice in this place for a while yet, enabling me to make longer contributions and debate bills that are important to me and my community in the Pakenham district. Technology has certainly come a long way. It is not perfect. It makes me cringe when it goes too fast or slows in the wrong places, but I am grateful for my device being able to read my typed words in my voice. It is remarkable.

[NAME AWAITING VERIFICATION]

Thank you to my speech pathologist Rebecca Staple. Our Parliament has become more inclusive. We have come along in leaps and bounds. Hopefully now people who live with a disability can put their hands up to potentially represent their community in the years ahead, knowing that the Parliament of Victoria is a great place to work. Lastly, a big thankyou to my main carer Leah David as we celebrate National Carers Week.