Thursday, 18 June 2026

 John LISTER (Werribee) (14:44): (1707) My question is to the Minister for Health. How is accessibility design being improved for those with physical, mental or other disabilities in Werribee Mercy Hospital? The hospital in general was made to house and care for people of all walks of life, including disabled, impaired et cetera folk, who may already need more health assistance. But if they are not given adequate tools or environments, it makes the hospital ordeals harder not just for them but for those accompanying or treating them. Werribee is a very large, very populated and very multicultural suburb full of people who need extra support. Residents with a disability, alongside other residents, deserve an equal amount of attention and care when necessary. I note there are great new facilities in our new ED, which is opening up in October.

[NAME AWAITING VERIFICATION]

I have said this on a number of occasions, but I am determined to be the voice for local young people in my community, and this question was written by Annabel Pearson, who is in year 12 at Werribee Secondary College. I thank them and their class for visiting only just this morning and helping to prepare this question.

The SPEAKER: Member for Lowan, I invite you to nominate one question. You had two in your constituency question.

Emma Kealy: Thank you very much, Speaker. I would like to clarify that my question is: on the back of the phase-out of the P–12 complexity allowance, what assessment has the government made of the impact on rural and regional communities?