Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Meng Heang TAK (Clarinda) (19:25): (1768) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide the latest update on the public health supports available to families in Clayton South. I was out doorknocking in Clayton South over the weekend and speaking to families about their priorities and about what matters to them and what they want to see from the Carroll Labor government. There were so many young families, many of whom had children at Westall Primary School. Westall Primary School is an amazing local school, which I have been so glad to see grow and prosper. Through our investment into a regeneration project supporting the upgrade and modernisation of Westall Primary School, we have created a hub link that connects the primary school with Westall Kindergarten. This is something that I am very proud of and our community is very proud of. It is an amazing community hub which sees the delivery of education, allied health and wellbeing services for our local community.

Out doorknocking, public health came through as a strong focus for families, as well as the cost of living and community safety. I would love to hear from the minister about how the Carroll Labor government is making access to public health care easier and fairer for my constituents. One particular initiative locally is Smile Squad. This is a fantastic initiative and another way that the Carroll Labor government is saving families time and money through free dental care for kids. This is a really important initiative for my community, a community where the cost of living is always front of mind. This is putting money back into the pockets of families in the Clarinda district and easing the cost-of-living pressure. We all know that regular dental check-ups can cost parents up to $400 a year per child, but with Labor’s Smile Squad, it is free. Importantly, at-school services also mean busy families do not need to worry about missing work or school for the dental appointment. I commend the minister on this program and on her work making access to public health care easier and fairer for families in the Clarinda district, and I look forward to her response.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Malvern asked to amend electoral laws. I note that Speakers Delzoppo, Plowman and Fyffe have stated:

A member cannot ask for legislation during the adjournment.

Would you like to rephrase in regard to policy?

Michael O’Brien: I apologise for misspeaking. Of course I meant to ask that the Premier raise with the electoral commission the design of the ballot papers for the forthcoming election.